Bartomeu will only sit down with Messi if it's to discuss a new contract
Barça still want Leo to lead Koeman's new project at the club and won't let him leave for less than his buyout clause
FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu will only sit down with Lionel Messi if it's to discuss a new contract, not to agree on a way for how the captain can leave the club. The feeling at Barça is that Messi should lead the new sporting project under Ronald Koeman and don't want to consider a future without their Argentinian hero.
From Barça's point of view, Messi is under contract until the 30th June 2021 as his exit clause expired on the 10th of June. This means if he is to leave it will be for the €700m stated in his buyout clause. Bartomeu, Ramon Planes and Koeman all feel that the team needs Leo in it as they rebuild.
The public's demands for Bartomeu to step down was heard by the president. He has offered to resign if Messi publicly states the reason he wants to leave is because of Bartomeu. If he doesn't do that, Barça would like to sit down with Leo to discuss extending his contract.
Barça are keen to turn this situation around and convince Messi that the best option for everyone is him staying at the club.
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