Barcelona have confirmed that Lionel Messi wants to leave the club this summer following their season of turmoil.
Rumours have been building that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner would look to move on ever since the humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier this month.
And there were a number of reports on Tuesday stating that the player had sent a burofax to Barcelona stating his intentions to quit.
Associated Press claim that Barcelona confirmed to them that a document had indeed been sent to them by Messi expressing his desire to leave.
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
There was a clause in Messi’s contract stating he is allowed to leave at the end of any season for free if he pleases, but a nasty legal battle could now take place over when the expiry date was.
Journalist Guillem Balague tweeted: “Messi thinks the season finished in August, so he can use the clause that frees him from the club before the end of the month. FCB would mention that the contract talks about end of June for Messi to use the clause, so it has expired.”
If Messi does indeed leave all eyes will turn to his next possible destination.
Manchester City may well be at the front of the queue, with the intriguing possibility of a reunion with his former manager Pep Guardiola potentially on the cards.
(Image: REUTERS)
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Manchester United are another team who have been mentioned as a touted destination, while he may also fancy a return to Argentina and to his first ever club Newell’s Old Boys.
Whatever happens, the news comes as a huge blow to Barcelona, who look set to lose their talismanic figure who is undoubtedly the greatest player in the club’s history.
