Jorge Messi arrived at Barcelona Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning as he prepared to hold talks with the club’s hierarchy over his son’s imminent departure from the club where he spent 20 years.
Messi made his intention to leave Barcelona last week based on the clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free at the end of every season but the club believes the June 10 date has elapsed given the fact the season ended in August.
But the six-time Ballon D’or winner insists on leaving as he no longer sees himself as a Barcelona player having missed three training sessions under new manager Ronald Koeman.
According to Sky Sports News‘ reporter who is on ground at Barcelona, Gary Cotterill, the club’s hierarchy are more or less divided as regards the situation.
These talks between Barcelona and Lionel Messi will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, has now arrived in the country and will be leading these talks as far as the Messi camp is concerned.
The Barcelona side cannot even agree with each other. There is the president’s side, who on one hand say Messi has this valid contract and is not going anywhere for less than the asking price – we are not going to do any deals.
The other side of the boardroom feel like that is unrealistic – we are in a financial hole, he could leave anyway in a year’s time and meanwhile hang around not wanting to be here.
There’s going to have to be a lot of talking and I think that’s going to take longer than two days.