After a turbulent week for Barcelona, new club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has had to publicly announce that Lionel Messi is not for sale.
Bartomeu stepped into the void when previous president Sandro Rossell resigned over a forthcoming court appearance relating to the misappropriation of funds from the Neymar transfer deal. Rossell denies all charges, but now a larger shadow is looming – could Barca be on the brink of losing their star player?
Last summer, Messi was linked with the champions of Europe, Bayern Munich. Any interest was quickly slapped down, but the German giants lay waiting in the wings. A powerful new suitor has come to light. Paris St Germain are openly courting the five times Ballon D’or winner. It would take a huge sum of money to prise Messi away even if the club were to sell. He is still only 26 years old, incredibly his best years are yet to come. Any transfer fee would have to dwarf the amount that Real Madrid paid for Gareth Bale. PSG have the money and the ambition. As do Manchester City. If there seems to be any possibility that a move may be possible, the Etihad club will surely throw their cap into the ring.
Bartomeu has today insisted: “He is a footballer that can do everything. The club will sit down and negotiate a new contract. We will do what we have to.”
Messi has spent his whole career at Barcelona, he and his advisors are refusing to comment on the rumours. Is the Argentine wizard thinking about a new challenge after the World Cup?
