CLAUSE ARE OUT
Lionel Messi and Barcelona at war over ‘expired’ contract clause as club insist he can only leave for £630MILLION
LIONEL MESSI and Barcelona are set for a bitter legal battle as the two go to war over his £630MILLION release clause.
The Argentina superstar stunned world football yesterday after announcing he wants to leave the Nou Camp after two decades.
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Messi, 33, faxed Barcelona demanding he exercised a clause that allows him to terminate his own contract.
His current deal expires in 2021 with a £630million release clause.
But when he signed his last deal, the write how he added a stipulation allowing him to terminate his contract at the end of the 2019-20 season - which Messi attempted yesterday.
But the club and player are now at loggerheads over the details.
- LIVE: Latest news on Messi's exit
- Messi demanded transfer after Koeman told him "privileges are over"
- The Argentine star faxed his decision to Barcelona
- Fans have been protesting outside the Nou Camp
- Rio Ferdinand claims Chelsea are trying to sign Messi
- Man City favourites to sign him ahead of Man Utd, Inter and PSG
The clause reportedly only came into effect if Messi asked to terminate his contract before June 10.
However, the Argentine's legal team are arguing that because the season was extended over the coronavirus pandemic, the clause should still come into effect until the end of August.
Barcelona's final game of the season came in the 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich on August 14.
Messi's reps are arguing that if the pandemic happened next year, Messi would be expected to see out the campaign, past the expiration of his contract.
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Marca write how Barcelona are not having any of it and are insisting they will only let him leave for the full £630m.
It is understood the Barcelona board will meet imminently with president Josep Maria Bartomeu's resignation believed to be the only thing that could see Messi have a change of heart.
Manchester City are reportedly interested and Messi is thought to be keen on the idea of reuniting with Pep Guardiola.
Although it could be a bluff by the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to put pressure on Bartomeu to resign.
Furious Barcelona fans also made their feelings very clear on Tuesday night, with hundreds flocking to the Nou Camp to make it clear they wanted Messi to stay - and demanding Bartomeu goes instead.
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Fans hurled insults at the club president and hung banners calling for him to quit.
Barcelona know no club will fork out the full whack for his signature especially as the player earns around £900,000-a-week.
If the situation can't be resolved, they may be forced into selling him for a cut-price £200m or risk having an already disrupted squad thrown into further turmoil.
Lionel Messi transfer request - Furious Barcelona fans protest against president Josep Maria Bartomeu outside Nou Camp
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