Quote:[b]Messi Can Only Leave Barca If €700 Million Release Clause Is Met - La Liga

La Liga confirm paying Messi's €700M release clause would be the only way out for him[/b]

La Liga have released an official statement to confirm they side with Barcelona in their legal dispute with Lionel Messi and they say that the player’s €700m release clause remains in place.

The 33-year-old has a clause in his deal allowing him to leave at the end of any season, and whilst it was thought that deadline passed in June, with Marca reporting last week that the player’s camp believe that it has been extended in line with the prolonged 2019/20 season.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the current board of the Catalan giants are said to be insistent they will not allow their superstar to leave as a free agent and they will only be prepared to meet with the player to discuss a new contract.

Bartomeu and his board have now been vindicated by La Liga, who say that the release clause – which is likely to prove unattainable for any club – remains in place for Messi.

The statement from La Liga say they will only allow Messi to be released from his Barcelona contract if the player’s release clause is matched or the club negotiate on a sale – but he cannot leave without one of those conditions being met.

On Saturday, Barcelona sacked their legal team for advising the player on how to navigate his exit from the club while Messi did not turn up for testing as scheduled on Sunday morning.

With a legal dispute between the player and club appearing increasingly likely, it is now reported that FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport are likely to be involved in determining the nature of any exit for the player thi summer

https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/messi-can-only-leave-barca-if-his-700m-release-clause-is-met/bw9lcg8ybdu1ihdf761jprn0

Barcelona must pay €14 million (£12m/$17m) to cancel Luis Suarez’s current contract, according to a report.

A new era is being ushered in at Camp Nou under Ronald Koeman, who replaced Quique Setien in the managerial hot seat following a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.

The Dutchman has already started making plans for his first year at the helm, with wholesale changes to the squad expected after the club’s first trophyless season in 12 years.

Lionel Messi could be the first out the door in the coming weeks, as the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has submitted a formal transfer request amid interest from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

It was gathered that Suarez is also being touted for the exit, having been informed by Koeman over the phone that he does not feature in his plans for the upcoming campaign.

The Uruguayan striker is contracted to remain at Camp Nou until next summer, but is open to an early exit after being deemed surplus to requirements.

However, Suarez intends to continue training with the Barca squad until the club decides whether to cancel his contract, which will cost them a total of €14m in compensation fees.

The 33-year-old will leave Catalonia as a free agent if he is released, with Goal reporting that five clubs have already officially registered their interest in his services.

Suarez spoke out on his future via social media last week in the wake of comments from his former lawyer Alejandro Balbi, who suggested that the frontman’s next move will hinge on the path Messi decides to take.

“There are people talking about me or on my behalf when I have not had a relationship with them for years,” Suarez said. “When I need to speak, I’ll speak for myself.”

The Barca forward has been linked with a return to Ajax and a possible move to MLS with Inter Miami, and Goal has reported that he has also been offered to Italian giants Juventus.

Suarez joined up with the Blaugrana from Liverpool back in 2014, and has since scored 198 goals in 283 appearances for the club. That puts the Uruguay international third in Barca’s all-time top scorer’s list, with only legendary figures Cesar Rodriguez Alvarez and Messi boasting higher tallies.

Suarez has won 13 major trophies during his time at Camp Nou, including four La Liga titles and the Champions League.

https://www.today.ng/sport/football/barcelona-pay-e14-terminate-luis-suarez-contract-315496/amp?__twitter_impression=true

EPL: Lampard lists three things he expects from Thiago Silva at Chelsea


 
on
 August 30, 2020




Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard has revealed three things he expects from the club’s new signing, Thiago Silva, at Stamford Bridge.

Quote:Lewandowski Wins German Player Of The Year Award 

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Pole was the runaway winner of the title awarded by the football magazine Kicker, following a vote by journalists.

Lewandowski received 276 votes, well ahead of two other members of Bayern’s triple-winning squad: Thomas Muller (54 votes) and Joshua Kimmich (49).

“I’m very proud,” Lewandowski told Kicker. “Expectations are getting higher and higher and every year I try to surpass them.”

The striker amassed 55 goals for Bayern, finishing top scorer in every club competition in which he played. He hit 34 in the Bundesliga, 15 in the Champions League and six in the German Cup, as Bayern won all three.

He is a favourite for the world Player of the Year prize. FIFA has said it wants to make the award despite the new coronavirus pandemic, but a date has not yet been set.

“I can’t think of any other player who is more deserving than him to be named FIFA World Player of the Year,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick, who was named best German coach ahead of last year’s winner, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp.

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Quote: Luis Suarez Edges Closer To Juventus Move

With Gonzalo Higuain on the move, Juventus are in the market for a striker and are thought to be closing in on Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan has been deemed surplus to requirements by new coach Ronald Koeman and is now looking for a new club.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, personal terms have been agreed between Suarez and Juventus in a second meeting between the club and the player's representatives.

The striker, who has spent six years at Barcelona, had already been contacted by vice president, Pavel Nedved prior to the second meeting.

The player's contract is thought to be in the region of ten million euros per year after tax which is the same wage Suarez is currently earning at Barcelona.

Juventus would have to pay a further five million euros to secure the Uruguayan, due to Italian taxation.

Another player that Juventus are thought to be interested in is Eden Dzeko from Roma.

However, Juventus would have to pay a transfer fee of around ten million for the Bosnian on top of his wages, something they wouldn't have to do for Suarez, who would be leaving Barcelona on a free transfer.

Quote:Luis Suarez is Juventus's main target and they're working hard to get him �
By @RomeoAgresti

https://twitter.com/GoalNews/status/1300924646242562050?s=19

Rudiger speaks on Kai Havertz joining Chelsea


 
on
 September 2, 2020




Chelsea defender, Antonio Rudiger, has expressed confidence that Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz will soon join the Blues this summer.

EPL: Chelsea’s Timo Werner issues strong warning to Liverpool, Man City


 
on
 September 2, 2020

 


Chelsea striker, Timo Werner, has warned Liverpool and Manchester City that the Blues are ready to challenge them for the Premier League title this season.

                                   

                          

Quote:[b]Messi Considering A Dramatic U-Turn On His Decision To Leave Barcelona 

Lionel Messi faces a defining day in his career amid reports he is considering a U-turn over his decision to leave Barcelona.[/b]

A crunch meeting between Messi's dad Jorge and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu reportedly ended in a stalemate on Wednesday, with no agreement reached over the wantaway forward's future.

Messi's camp have claimed the six-time Ballon d'Or winner can leave the Nou Camp for free this summer, while Barca have insisted that is not the case - and have been backed in their stance by La Liga.

And now Messi is considering a dramatic U-turn, according to the same source in Argentina which first broke news of the 33-year-old's transfer request.

The man regarded by many as the game's greatest ever player is now considering seeing out the remaining year of his contract, according to TyC Sports.

Renowned in Argentina for its reliable reports, TyC Sports claimed senior figures at the club have pleaded with Messi to stay, and that he will spend Thursday considering his options.

Reports from Messi's homeland have also claimed he is now "90% likely to stay" - which if true will be a blow to Manchester City after reports the forward was poised for a fairytale reunion with his former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.

Earlier, a report from TyC Sports cited by Spanish publication Marca had claimed that Jorge Messi had told Bartomeu "My son isn't staying at Barcelona".

But the Catalan giants do not appear willing to budge on their assertion that they are due a transfer fee of €700m (£621m) if Messi is to leave the Nou Camp.

And if the reports from Argentina are to be believed, then it appears the club's intransigence could force their best player to stay for at least another season.

As well as City, Paris-Saint Germain and Juventus are also reportedly in the hunt for Messi.

A move to the Ligue 1 champions or the Serie A kings would open up the tantalising prospect of Messi teaming up with either Kylian Mbappe and his former Barca teammate Neymar, or his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Inter Milan have also been linked with a move for Messi, although the club's sporting director Piero Ausilio has indicated that the Serie A giants would not be able to afford him.

Messi's dad said staying at Barcelona would be "difficult" for his son when quizzed by reporters on his arrival in the city on Wednesday.

Interviewed by Cuatro Deportes, he was asked whether going to City was "a good option" and replied: "I don't know. There is still nothing.

When it was put to him that Guardiola had said it would be best if his son stayed at Barcelona, Messi Snr said: "I have not spoken to Pep. I have not spoken to anyone."

He was then asked how he saw Messi's future at Barcelona, and replied: "Difficult, difficult."

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lionel-messi-u-turn-barcelona-22620848

Modric reveals what will happen to Barcelona when Messi leaves


 
on
 September 3, 2020




Real Madrid’s Luka Modric has said Barcelona can succeed without Lionel Messi.

Bale accuses Real Madrid of not allowing him to leave club


 
on
 September 3, 2020



Real Madrid forward, Gareth Bale, has accused the club of not allowing him to leave Santiago Bernabeu.
He also said that it was nice for him to feel appreciated when he joins up with the Wales national team.

Man City takes fresh stance on Messi’s transfer from Barcelona

 
on
 September 3, 2020
By



Manchester City will ‘try until the end’ to sign Lionel Messi, according to Guillem Balague.

Quote:Messi Could Stay" - His Father Says After Meeting Barcelona Board

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has expressed a desire to leave Camp Nou, but discussions have been held with the Blaugrana board.

Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, has hinted at a compromise being reached at Barcelona which allows his son to remain at Camp Nou until the summer of 2021.

The Argentine forward’s representatives arrived in Catalunya on Wednesday for showdown talks with the Blaugrana board. Jorge Messi told reporters upon touching down that he did not “know anything” when it comes to his son’s future. He was, however, to discuss the matter with under-fire Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu amid mounting speculation suggesting that a stunning separation could be on the cards.

Barca's dismissal of Suarez shows Messi is not their only problem. Messi has spent his entire senior career to date on the books of the La Liga heavyweights. Countless records have been broken by the South American over the course of his remarkable career.

The 33-year-old is, however, approaching the end of his playing days and is aware of the need to make the most of the time he has left. With Barca starting to falter at home and abroad, he has opened the door to a possible exit.

Messi dropped a bombshell on Barca when stating his intention to push for a move elsewhere, having grown disillusioned with life on and off the field at Camp Nou. It was initially suggested that he could walk away for nothing, with an exit clause inserted into his lucrative contract that could be triggered at the end of any given season.

No free transfer will be made, though, as it has been ruled that his €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause remains in place.

Interested parties are still sniffing around, with big-spending outfits such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain ready to make a moveif an all-time great is made available.
That is not the case at present, and it may be that Messi never hits the market.

His father has told Mediasetthat talks with Barcelona went “well”, with there still a chance that an agreement can be reached which allows everyone to remain in their current surroundings.
Quizzed on whether a six-time Ballon d’Or winner could remain with the Blaugrana until the end of his current contract in 2021, Jorge Messi replied with “yes”.

Barca will be hoping that an unwelcome transfer can be avoided at this stage, giving them time to work on convincing their captain that he should prolong his association with them – rather than take on a new challenge elsewhere.

Ronald Koeman has expressed a desire to keep a world-class performer on his books, having inherited an ageing squad from Quique Setien, and it may be that the Dutchman gets his wish when this stunning saga is brought to a close with the status quo in Barcelona maintained.

https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/messi-father-agent-stay-barcelona-talks-went-well/zztywcqmlpoa1ungl8egizosk

Messi blasts LaLiga in open letter over €700m release clause


 
on
 September 4, 2020



Lionel Messi has hit out at LaLiga over the €700 million release in his current contract with Barcelona.
Earlier this week, the Spanish league released a statement, insisting that any interested club must pay the full fee for the 33-year-old.