Messi makes U-turn, now likely to stay at Barcelona

Reports from Argentina claim Lionel Messi could now stay at Barcelona after his father met with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. If the report is true, it will be a blow to Manchester City after reports the forward was poised for a fairytale reunion with his former Barcelona boss, Pep Guardiola.

Messi’s father Jorge, who is also his agent, met with Bartomeu on Wednesday after his son last month told the club of his intention to leave on a free this summer after activating a clause in his contract.

Barcelona disputed the claim, saying the specific clause expired on June 10 despite the delays to the season, a position then backed by LaLiga, meaning paying his €700million (£632m) release clause is the only way to trigger a transfer.

Jorge Messi and Bartomeu’s meeting reportedly lasted around 90 minutes and ended in with no real conclusion, though the club president asked Jorge to ask his son to reconsider.

Now TyC Sport reports that there is a “90 per cent chance that Messi will stay at Barcelona” with a definitive decision expected soon.

The report adds that Messi would see out the final year of his contract and leave on a free next summer.

Earlier, a report from TyC Sports cited by Spanish media 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 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 Barcelona 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.