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LONDON. — Lionel Messi will sensationally walk away from Barcelona this summer, and leave the Spanish giants for good, ending a partnership, which has spread for 17 seasons, in which he scored a record 672 goals and won 35 trophies.
The massive news broke just an hour before Manchester City, who are said to have been also interested in the Argentina captain, announced they had signed England midfielder, Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, for a British record £100m.
The 25-year-old Grealish joins the Premier League champions on six-year contract and will wear the number 10 shirt recently vacated by Sergio Aguero.
“City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world,” said Grealish.
“It’s a dream come true to be part of this club.”
But, it became clear, the big news was breaking in Barcelona.
Messi became a free agent last month after his original contract with Barca expired, although he was set to re-sign with the club, following positive initial talks between all parties.
He was in line for a fresh long-term deal, albeit on lower pay terms.
Now, however, the Catalan giants have confirmed the agreement is dead due to economic and structural obstacles.
Barcelona have had their financial troubles this year and their problems were been laid bare by Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, yesterday.
“To be able to keep Messi, Barca would have to reduce their wage bill by around 200m euros (£172m) and to meet La Liga’s Financial Fair Play requirements,” he said.
In a shock statement yesterday, Barcelona confirmed the two parties were going their separate ways.
‘’Despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi, and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today (yesterday), it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations).
‘’Given this situation, Lionel Messi will not continue linked to FC Barcelona.
‘’Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the Club cannot finally be fulfilled.
‘’Barca would like to thank with all its heart the player’s contribution to the enhancement of the institution and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life.’’
Earlier in the evening, the news had initially been broken via Catalan radio outlet RAC1, who noted that Messi’s situation at Barca had become ‘’irreversible.’’
The 34-year-old is said to have communicated his opinions to the club on Wednesday, upon his return to the city, following an off-season holiday with his wife, and children.
Yet as the news began to break online, and spread like wildfire, Messi’s father and agent originally opted to publicly speak out and re-shared a report of Messi’ impending exit with the simple caption: ‘’Lie.’’
Barca had been banking on their talisman, and club legend, committing the remainder of his career to the Nou Camp, although they have been hindered, for weeks, by their dire financial situation.
The forward was set to take a 50 percent pay deduction from his previous deal, which was worth in excess of £425million, over four years, in order for Barca to be able to re-register him with La Liga.
This would have meant Messi’s earnings would have been slashed by £250,000 every week, on the proposed new five-year contract.
Reports in Spain further state that a meeting took place yesterday,y between Barca’s hierarchy and Messi’s father, along with other representatives.
It is said that this meeting did not reach a positive resolution, and has blown the whole situation wide open.
Messi has been heavily linked with both Manchester City, and Paris Saint Germain, and the shock developments come just days after the superstar met up with his former teammate and close friend Neymar.
Neymar left Barca for PSG in 2017, and has spoken frequently about his desire to play with the Argentine again, one day.
On Wednesday, Neymar uploaded an image to social media, showing himself with Messi along with PSG trio Angel Di Maria, Leo Parades and Marco Veratti, with the caption: ‘’amigos.’’
The image has now sent the rumour mill into overdrive, with many fans believing Messi was convinced by the PSG quartet, into swapping Catalonia, for Paris.
Given his contract at the Nou Camp has officially expired, Barca will be powerless to stop Messi joining a major European rival this summer.
‘’Man City also thought the decision would be very late in the summer, as we see now,’’ Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘’With that in mind, obviously, everything changed and the 21 victories in a row came and all of a sudden is was like ‘oh we don’t actually need to change so much, but yes we do need a goalscorer and a creative force in midfield, some fresh legs’.
‘’Obviously that’s Grealish and Harry Kane if that happens.
‘’So that means they don’t have the financial viability to get Messi. Because, it’s not like getting someone who will earn say 50 million euros. Whatever it is you have to double it.
‘’But you also have to pay a signing-on fee, that could be 50, 60, 70 million. It’s a signing from another club, almost.
‘’So, from that point of view, I don’t think City have got the finances now and we all suspect it has to be PSG next.’’
Messi at Barca
Barcelona’s all-time highest scorer with 672 goals.
10 La Liga titles.
Four Champions Leagues.
Seven Copas del Rey.
Six Ballon d’Ors. — Mailonline/BBC Sport.
Online Reporter