Rumor: Barcelona board may listen to offers for Messi

Some members of the Barcelona board are reportedly not against selling Lionel Messi to give Ronald Koeman a chance to rebuild the squad.

Frustrations have slowly been reaching a boiling point for Messi both on and off the pitch over the last few seasons, with the Barcelona skipper allegedly considering his future.

He had a very public fall-out with Eric Abidal, who was fired as sporting director this week, and was vocal against the board’s attempts to pressure the squad into accepting a pay cut amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Things on the pitch, meanwhile, ended in Barcelona finishing without silverware for the first time since 2007/08. That humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, on top of the previous losses to Roma and Liverpool in the knockouts, capped it all off.

These turn of events have left Messi to ponder his future at Camp Nou. His meeting with Koeman didn’t go well, with RAC 1 claiming that he told the new Barca manager that he doesn’t see himself in Catalonia much longer.

❗Messi does not see his future clearly at Barça. He has told Koeman that he is thinking of leaving more than staying, but he is aware that leaving this summer would be very difficult due to his contract. [rac1] pic.twitter.com/Ki0Gfo24Yd

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 20, 2020

This report from the Catalan radio station has poured more doubts into Leo’s future. The Argentine has less than 12 months left on his current deal and chances of agreeing to an extension appear remote at this stage. Therefore, Barcelona are considering a Plan B.

At least one ‘high-ranking’ official has allegedly told ESPN that the club should consider selling the unhappy star should an appropriate offer arrive on their doorstep.

The American sports network also claims that some directors would be open to selling him to give Koeman a chance to rebuild while ridding themselves of Messi’s lucrative salary at the same time.

The overwhelming priority, however, is to keep the Blaugrana icon. Some board members remain relaxed on the situation, arguing that Messi’s contract doesn’t expire until next year. They also voiced their confidence that Koeman will change his mind.