Lionel Messi requests personal meeting with Barcelona hierarchy
What's the story
Legend Lionel Messi has requested a personal meeting with the Barcelona hierarchy to discuss about his transfer request.
According to a report in Sky Sports, Messi wants his lawyers to be present with the intention of finding a way out of the impasse over his contract clause and exiting the club this summer.
Here are further details.
Scenario
The scenario surrounding Messi and Barcelona
Things are uncertain as far Messi's departure from Barcelona is concerned.
He has one year left to run in his contract.
The report adds that Messi and his representatives think there is a clause in his contract which means he can leave for nothing this summer.
However, Barca won't allow him to leave for free as there is a release clause of 700m euros.
Situation
Analyzing the ideal situation for the involved parties
Barcelona want to keep Messi but will they go ahead against his wishes?
Keeping an unhappy player against his will by not relenting on the release clause could create further issues.
Moreover, no club can pay that amount.
The ideal solution would be if the club sat down with a suitor and sorted out a price that would enable a deal to take place.
Desire
Messi keen to join Manchester City
The report also adds that both Messi and Pep Guardiola want to renew their partnership.
This has put Premier League giants Manchester City in a prime position to land the Argentine.
City's position in terms of finance could aid the move as well.
Besides City, the likes of Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen to get Messi.
Transfer
Messi handed in a transfer request
Earlier this week, Messi handed in a transfer request, saying that he wants to leave the club after plying his trade for close to two decades.
Messi's announcement came 11 days after Barcelona's humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarters.
It was a difficult season for Barca in which Messi also called the team weak after La Liga ended.
New destination
Messi wants a new lease of life elsewhere
With all the conflicts Barca endured on and off the field, it's reasonable for Messi to want out.
Missing out on the Champions League since four successive seasons resulted in Messi growing dissatisfied.
Messi knows he doesn't have many years left at the top level and wants to have one last shot at a club where he can win trophies.