In light of the transfer saga involving club legend, Lionel Messi, who reportedly wants out of the Camp Nou, Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu has offered his resignation to keep the Argentine at the club.
Following Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, club icon Lionel Messi has decided to bring an end to his lifelong stay at the Catalan side, after finally losing faith in the club’s president.
Messi had sent a message to the club on Tuesday, stating his desire to leave the club and asking to leave due to a clause in his contract.
However, in a report on Thursday 27th August 2020, Josep Bartomeu revealed he has agreed to step down from his duties as president if it would assure that the Argentine genius remained with Barcelona.
According to TV3 in Catalonia, Bartomeu “would agree to step aside and let his board end the term”, and also call off the new board elections slated for March next year.
They report that Bartomeu would only consider such a move, “if Messi publicly states that the problem is the president” and assures that he would remain a Barcelona player.
“By the club, it is considered that the player should communicate why he wants to leave,”
Messi is set to announce the decision regarding his future at Catalonia after reporter Veronica Brunati reported in a tweet that the Argentine international would be speaking in the next few hours on Thursday afternoon.
A vote of no confidence has also been filed against Bartomeu, adding to the pressure that he is the reason behind Messi wanting out.
Should Messi confirm his departure, however, Bartomeu and the Barcelona board have said his £700 million release clause must be met, after the Barcelona captain’s clause to leave on a free transfer expired on June 10.
Manchester City are front runners to the 33-year-old’s signature, with Pep Guardiola keen on linking up with Messi, who played a vital role in his treble-winning run during his stint at Barcelona.
