Messi is ‘further from renewing than ever before’
In contrast to reports that surfaced last night claiming Lionel Messi was set to sign a new contract with Barcelona – which, yes, we reported earlier in a satirical way for everyone who somehow missed the joke – it has now emerged that the deal appears to be ‘impossible.’
Reports from Spanish sports newspaper Marca and radio station RAC1 are both reporting a ‘radical turnaround’ in negotiations.
The delay in proceedings stems from Barcelona’s serious financial problems.
The club are currently unable to register new signings Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero into their La Liga squad due to the league’s salary cap. Unless they shed more wages off the bill, they could be looking at a front line of Antoine Griezmann and some academy kids for the opening few games.
Club president Joan Laporta is reportedly aware that Messi is ‘further from renewing than ever before.’
Fabrizio Romano’s latest update states that both parties will continue talks in an attempt to resolve the situation, but it feels more likely at this point that a move to one of Europe’s other super clubs would be more straightforward for the Argentine star.
Leo Messi. Barcelona were planning for official announcement before Gamper – all agreed since days, then today they had ‘new problems’ in the process to extend the contract 🔴🇦🇷 #Messi
Issues are confirmed – Barça and Messi will continue their talks to resolve the situation.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2021
Messi has been spending the past week on a boat in Ibiza with his family, and was photographed socialising with his former teammate Neymar, who left Barcelona for PSG in 2017.
Given this apparent breakdown in proceedings between Messi and the club he has played for since his days as a child at La Masia, Europe’s super clubs are expected to start circling in the coming days. Could we finally see a reunion between Messi and Neymar at the Parc des Princes?
