Lionel Messi’s contractual situation at Barcelona remains shrouded in mystery, with president Joan Laporta providing no clear update on his future. Media outlet Sport now claims that the Blaugrana have suffered a massive blow in their quest to keep hold of the player.
Barcelona were hoping for leeway from LaLiga’s strict salary cap rules, which each club must uphold. However, league president Javier Tebas denied the Catalans’ request earlier, thus refusing them special privileges. As a consequence, Barcelona must now reduce their total salary cap by either selling or releasing players.
Work is already underway in that sense. Barca sent Francisco Trincao on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers previously, just one year on from signing him, while Junior Firpo is expected to leave the club to join Leeds United soon. Reports have also claimed that the club is set to cancel the agreements of Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic, the latter of whom they signed last summer in a dubious swap deal with Juventus.
Several other stars have been linked with exits, too, including Philippe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite. Meanwhile, the club has, conversely, added to their wage bill already this term by signing Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero, Emerson, and Memphis Depay.
Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi remains a free agent at the moment. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract officially came to an end on June 30, but talks are ongoing regarding a possible extension. Messi came close to quitting Barcelona last summer but, after a protracted saga, ended up staying at the club. Re-elected president Laporta recently asked those following the saga to remain patient.
