Lionel Messis future at Barcelona remains unclear after meeting – The Guardian

Messis claim to be able to leave on a totally free was not water tight but his behaviour since serving notice of his departure was developed to enhance the concept he had actually exercised that right and was effectively no longer a Barcelona gamer. That was why he did not show up for pre-season training. But screening that lawfully is pricey, slow and risky. It exposes Messi and the club that signs him to possible sanctions and an eventual transfer cost set by tribunal.

Confronted with the growing possibility of being required to stay at the Camp Nou, at least till his contract goes out next summer, Messi need to choose how tough he is prepared to try to require an exit and what his next move is.

Lionel Messis future remains uncertain after a meeting in between the club and the gamers agents failed to discover a solution to the stand-off, leaving Manchester City awaiting developments and thinking this is a concern of who blinks first.

Barcelona likewise alerted Messis agents that if he were to depart unilaterally, requesting that Fifa process his transfer pending a final resolution, they would take legal action against.

On Wednesday night Messis dad, Jorge, his sibling Rodrigo and his attorney, Jorge Pecourt, met the Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and board member Javier Bordas for the very first time because Messi served notice of his intention to leave. The meeting was described by the club as cordial however it brought no resolution, increasing the possibility of the Argentinian having little option but to stay up until 2021.

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City do not plan to be drawn into a legal fight and nor can they run the risk of being liable for a substantial transfer cost; their hope has been to get Messi on a free or at least to drive down the charge. They have actually communicated with Messi, they have not made a formal agreement deal and should wait for him and Barcelona to reach a worked out settlement.

So, too, does the fact that Messis agreement ends next year. Barcelonas economic crisis would also encourage a sale, it was believed, however Bartomeu has actually declined to budge.

Nor has it yet served to back Barcelona into a corner. The choice to walk away unilaterally might not be conclusive provided his failure to do so by 10 June– at which point the season was still not over and City had not had their European restriction reversed by the court of arbitration for sport– the danger of a unilateral departure, potentially on a free, did put pressure on Barcelona to seek a resolution.

For now, there is stalemate. City believed from the start there was an opportunity they would have the ability to sign the six-time Ballon dOr winner however were under no illusions it would be easy.

A provision in Messis agreement enables him to walk away at the end of each season, however he failed to notify Barcelona of his intention to do so prior to the 10 June due date. His representatives argue that date must be pushed back due to the fact that the season extended into late August, whereas the club remain determined he can no longer depart. Both sides stayed with those stances.

Throughout the conference Messis camp reiterated his desire to leave on a totally free, while being open to a worked out settlement. Barcelona stayed firm that they do not desire to sell, that he remains under agreement which any club would have to pay his EUR700m buyout clause. Barcelona likewise cautioned Messis representatives that if he were to leave unilaterally, asking for that Fifa procedure his transfer pending a final resolution, they would take legal action against.

Messi has actually not spoken publicly. Without any clear solution prior to him, he should decide his next relocation.

A stipulation in Messis agreement allows him to walk away at the end of each season, however he failed to notify Barcelona of his intention to do so prior to the 10 June due date. Messis claim to be able to leave on a complimentary was not water tight however his behaviour given that serving notification of his departure was designed to reinforce the idea he had actually exercised that right and was effectively no longer a Barcelona player. It exposes Messi and the club that signs him to possible sanctions and an eventual transfer charge set by tribunal.