Lionel Messi transfer news LIVE: Fifa could ratify Barca exit in ONE WEEK, ‘£200m fee’, Messi follows just FOUR clubs – The Sun

August 26, 2020

LIONEL MESSI has dropped the bombshell of ALL bombshells by sending an official fax demanding to leave Barcelona.

We have all the LATEST news and gossip from around the world following the shocking request, with clubs queuing up to sign the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Follow ALL of the latest transfer gossip, news and updates below…

FIFA: NO MESSING ABOUT
El Pais are reporting that Fifa will NOT stand in Messi's way if he wants a swift Barcelona exit.
They see the transfer as perfectly valid – and even if Barca want to go to CAS – it could be resolved quickly.
The reason why? There is absolutely no legal precedent for standing in the way of such a move.
It stacks the odds against Barcelona and firmly in favour of the player, who faxed the club last night to let Josep Bartomeu know he is quitting.
YOURS FOR £199M
Barcelona will reportedly not sell Lionel Messi for any less than a record £199million fee.
The 33-year-old stunned the LaLiga giants as he handed in a transfer request to leave on a free.
Messi demanded Barcelona to exercise a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for nothing.
But the club are convinced that the clause has expired – and want the biggest fee in football history for him.
According to Catalan Broadcaster RAC, Barcelona want at least £199million for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
His fee is set to eclipse the £198million Paris Saint-Germain paid to sign Neymar in 2017.
GEORGIE MESS-T
Manchester United have made contact with Lionel Messi over a transfer, Spanish reports claim.
It comes after Messi stunned the Nou Camp hierarchy by handing in a transfer request to leave the club.
According to SPORT, Untied and PSG have made a move for the unsettled 33-year-old.
It is claimed Old Trafford chiefs have been in touch with Messi’s representatives, and believe they have the financial capability to pull off the sensational transfer.
That is despite so far failing to agree terms with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho, who they value at £108million.
Despite the report, is is understood Messi would favour a reunion with former team-mate Neymar at PSG – who won Ligue 1 last season but lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
ENGLAND EXPECTS
Jude Bellingham has received his first call-up to the England Under-21s squad.
The wonderkid, who only turned 17 in June, joined Borussia Dortmund this summer from Birmingham in a £30million deal.
He had never played above the Under-17s level for his country but has now been advanced to Aidy Boothroyd’s group for next month’s Euro qualifiers in Kosovo and Austria.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, 18, has also been selected for the first time after a stunning breakthrough campaign at the Emirates.
Brentford midfielder Josh Dasilva, who came through the Gunners ranks, is the other recipient of a maiden call-up.
An exciting 23-man squad also includes Rhian Brewster, Tom Davies, Ryan Sessegnon and Crystal Palace target Ebere Eze.
While Chelsea Callum Hudson-Odoi returns despite having started for Gareth Southgate’s seniors in their last game against Kosovo in November.
WHAT IS A BUROFAX?
Lionel Messi told Barcelona he wants to leave – by sending them a fax.
In a world of modern technology, that may come as a surprise to many football fans.
But there is a reason for it.
According to AS, Messi used a 'burofax', a service provided by Spain's postal service, to inform Barca of his shock decision.
It is used “where it is necessary to prove that the document was delivered and also the contents of that document”.
And with the transfer bombshell shocking the football world, Messi is clearly keen to get everything covered legally.
WOLVES AT THE DOOR
Wolves have made a formal bid of under £20million for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.
The initial offer was rejected by the Gunners, who want to maximise their return on the youth player.
Maitland-Niles, 22, played in the FA Cup final, and was a key cog in Mikel Arteta’s tactical masterplan as the Gunners turned the game around to win 2-1.
But he is up for sale and the North London club want to get the most cash they can to reinvest in the squad.
According to David Ornstein, the bidding negotiations have begun and are likely to continue.
INSTA TRANSFER
Lionel Messi follows just three clubs other than Barcelona on Instagram.
They are: Newell's Old Boys, Manchester City and Chelsea.
NOTHING TO LUIS
Luis Suarez is in talks to sign for David Beckham's Inter Miami after his sensational Barcelona snub, according to reports.
The Uruguayan was told he is deemed surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp following Ronald Koeman's appointment.
Suarez was left furious at the way his future has been handled by Barcelona after being told the news in a 60-second phone call by Koeman.
Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has remained silent throughout the entire saga.
Suarez, 33, has spent six years with the Catalan giants but vowed not to kick up a fuss on his departure.
According to the Independent, Suarez has wasted no time in talking with Miami chiefs as they plot to sign a second marquee signing.
AIM FOR JAME
Everton are in “advanced talks” with Real Madrid over the transfer of James Rodriguez, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Toffees have been linked with the Colombian forward before, but the 29-year-old has previously hoped to get a club involved in Champions League football.
Everton are not even qualified for the Europa League.
But former boss Carlo Ancelotti, who managed Rodriguez at Real and Bayern Munich, is hoping to lure the 2014 World Cup star to Goodison Park.
EURO PAPERS
There is only one man on the front of the newspapers on the continent this morning.
'Adios' appears to be the word of the day!
Mundo Deportivo goes with: “Messi Bomb: He wants to leave!”
AS's headline reads: “Goodbye. By fax machine.”
Marca says: “And the bomb explodes – he wants to leave Barca”
Sport splash with: “Total war.”
LET HIM GO
Gary Lineker has told Barcelona to let Lionel Messi leave the club amicably after two decades of service.
TRANSFERS MEAN APPEALS
Pedro's signing at AS Roma means that the club tweeted out the announcement alongside appeals for missing youngsters.
The initiative was started by the Serie A club last season and children and young people from all over the world are advertised on this alert.
HOLDING COURT
Newcastle United are set to launch a move for Arsenal defender Rob Holding.
The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates since the arrival of Mikel Arteta.
Now the Daily Mail claims the Gunners are open to offers for the centre-back.
And they state the Magpies are interested in bringing in the former Bolton ace on a season-long loan.
Arsenal are on the verge of bolstering their defence with Lille’s Gabriel Magalhaes.
Gabriel, 22, flew to London this week and went straight to Arsenal’s London Colney training ground for his medical.
IT IS VERY CLEAR
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has hit out at Lionel Messi, saying: a contract is a contract.
The 75-year-old said: “Messi cannot leave.
“He will have to leave in 2012. I have seen his contract and it is very clear.
“If Messi leaves for less than what his clause is worth it will be more humiliating than the 8-2.”
PEDRO'S SIGNED
Former Chelsea winger Pedro has signed for AS Roma on a free after leaving Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard, 33, has penned terms with the Serie A club, who wooed him as his contract in West London was running down last season.
Pedro has signed for Paulo Fonseca's side on a three-year deal… taking him to the golden age of 36!
PL-EASE TAKE ME BACK
Amidst all the Lionel Messi fall-out, forgotten man Philippe Coutinho would prefer to head back to the Premier League rather than return to Barcelona – with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea keen, according to reports.
The Brazilian's loan at Bayern Munich has come to an end after the Champions League winners opted against exercising their option buy him.
Coutinho is now set to return to parent-club Barcelona for showdown talks with new boss Ronald Koeman.
But Marca claim the “Little Magician”, 28, would rather go back to England, with a host of top clubs interested.
Coutinho has three years left to run on his current contract at Barcelona.
It's claimed Koeman does not see the former Liverpool midfielder in his future plans and will push to sell him, much like Luis Suarez.
THE OLD GUARD
Lionel Messi has contacted his former mentor Pep Guardiola over a transfer to Manchester City, Spanish reports say.
It comes after Messi stunned the Nou Camp hierarchy by handing in a transfer request to leave the club.
Inter Milan and City were understood to have been monitoring his situation as he grew ever frustrated with the Spanish giants last season.
And according to Radio Catalunya, Etihad boss Guardiola, who spent four seasons with the Argentine, has held talks with player.
Together the pair won two Champions League trophies and three LaLiga titles as Messi was guided into a false No9 role.
FISHING ROD
Leeds are smashing their club record transfer to land £35million Spain striker Rodrigo – despite interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.
The Valencia star is due to have a medical on Wednesday after Leeds director of football Victor Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani flew to Spain to persuade the 29-year-old to join.
Rodrigo has agreed a second stab at the Premier League after scoring just once for Bolton in the top flight during his miserable 2010-11 loan season.
And the ex-Benfica ace's arrival at Leeds will eclipse the £18m they paid West Ham for England defender Rio Ferdinand in 2000, although £9m of the Rodrigo deal is in add-ons.
The Prem newcomers' boss Marcelo Bielsa still hopes to sign Freiburg's twice-capped Germany centre-back Robin Koch, 24, who is reportedly also a £20m target for Tottenham.
But having monitored legends Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic after winning the Championship, Bielsa will be relieved as well as delighted to finally secure a proven frontman.
MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Where else to begin, than with Lionel Messi.
The Argentine dropped a huge bombshell on FC Barcelona last night, when he confirmed that he fully intends to leave the club this summer.
Messi, 33, is believed to have been furious following their 8-2 humbling by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
And with new boss Ronald Koeman telling him in their first meeting that “the privileges are over”, Messi has decided to try and force his way out.
While Barca have been insisting on receiving his £631million release clause in full should he leave, the player himself believes he can go for nothing.
That is because of a clause in his contract that allows him to cancel his deal, if he chooses to exercise it by the end of June.
And as the season didn’t finish on time, Messi believes that the clause is still valid – and decided to make his intentions clear yesterday.
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are the early frontrunners to pull off the sensational deal – while Rio Ferdinand believes that Chelsea are trying to swoop in.
Frank Lampard and Co have already been busy, with Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech having arrived in West London – and the spending isn’t ending there.
Reports claim that Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr are on the way – and that a £50m deal for Ben Chilwell is “done”.
BARC-ING MAD
The Athletic reports that sources have told them Messi has spoken to Pep Guardiola.
Their report adds that Man City would love to have him at the club but the biggest stumbling block would be the club's relationship with Barcelona.
Guardiola, Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano all arrived from Barca and effectively will not push to buy Messi until the Catalans are willing to sell.
The article states: “The position of Guardiola, sporting director Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano is effectively this: they are willing to make it happen, but can’t be seen to want to make it happen.
“They do not want to be the bad guys at the Nou Camp.
“This may be crucial right now, because it certainly appears that the blame would lay at the door of Bartomeu, as Messi could justifiably claim he has been left with no choice given the upheaval at the Nou Camp, and he has been backed up by Puyol and Suarez on Twitter.”
MANC ON A MISSION
Brazilian journalist Marcelo Bechler claims Messi has decided he wants to play for Man City next season.
The Esporte Interativo journalist, who first broke the story that Messi wanted to leave the club this summer, also said the departure will hurt him, but he understands it's the end of a cycle.
Bechler commented: “Lionel Messi has decided where he wants to play from next season, and it's at Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
“Messi likes Manchester City's style of play which compliments his game well.”
KEEP YOUR GUARD UP
Guillem Balague has countered suggestions that Lionel Messi has held talks with Pep Guardiola or has a move lined up.
The former Sky Sports reporter says his understanding is that Messi hasn't spoken to the Man City manager at all and moreover has taken the decision to leave without knowing where he will end up.
Balague also suggests that not even the dismissal of president Josep Maria Bartomeu will convince Messi to stay, commenting that he wants to leave and it's not a matter of negotiation.
CITY SLICKER
Lionel Messi took the decision to leave Barcelona days ago, according to El Chiringuito.
Reporter Quim Domenech adds that Messi's father has spoken to various clubs in Europe to see who would be most keen to take him on, with Man City being the club with whom he has had most contact.
He adds that Messi is keen to join Man City and has spoken with both mentor Pep Guardiola and close friend Sergio Aguero.
ICYMI
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are the only two suitors that would be able to afford a transfer fee for Lionel Messi, reports claim.
The Argentine, 33, rocked the football world by making it clear that he intends to walk out on Barcelona this summer.
But should he be incorrect in his assertion that he can go for free, his options could be more limited.
Spanish outlet Sport claim that Inter Milan could be in the mix, however, should they only need to fork out for his wages after a free transfer.
'COMPLETELY FALSE'
For Spanish-speaking readers, El Chiringuito report that the Barcelona board infuriated Messi by actively attempting to tarnish his image after the 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich.
Most notably, they say, the directors leaked false rumours that Messi had ordered Quique Setien to change his line-up for the match in Lisbon.
Messi was also said to have been infuriated by the fact that Ronald Koeman's call to Luis Suarez to tell him he would no longer be required took just one minute and 52 seconds.

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