There are suddenly reports that it’s ‘almost impossible’ for Barcelona to sign Lionel Messi to a new contract due to both financial problems and his disappointment with the squad.
Sportitalia first broke the news in Italy of huge tension between the parties following today’s lunch meeting, followed by Marca and then Catalan radio station RAC1 as well.
Meanwhile, other sources close to the club remain confident that a deal simply needs to be announced.
Messi is currently a free agent, as his contract expired on June 30, so technically he could sign for anyone.
The issues seem to be financial, requiring Barcelona to further chop down the wage bill even after Messi agreed a 50 per cent cut from the salary he was on last season.
At the same time, Messi is also reportedly irritated by the direction the squad has gone in under coach Ronald Koeman and won’t commit himself to a weak team.
He is fresh from winning the Copa America with Argentina and has other alternatives open to him, including PSG and Manchester City.
🚨TOTALLY CONFIRMED OUR EXCLUSIVE. #Messi close to leave #Barca. Big tension between player and club camp. #Psg are following the situation @tvdellosport https://t.co/SkQNZR5MQ3
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) August 5, 2021