Negotiations between Lionel Messi and Barcelona to see the player leaving the club will be far from easy, and the Blaugrana side's latest request is a major example of how things will not be solved quickly.
According to a report by ESPN, the team's hierarchy has opened up negotiations with Messi's entourage by filing what can be considered an unusual request, especially since neither side would benefit from such an agreement.
The report by Blaugrana expert Moises Llorens suggests that Barcelona has proposed Messi's inner circle to let the player leave for free...but he must vow not to play a single minute for any other club until the summer of 2021. Yes, Barcelona would be willing to let Messi leave if he agrees to be "frozen out" until next summer.
Sources consulted by ESPN's journalist state that Josep María Bartomeu and his legal team have seen this as the only legal way to let Messi leave on a free transfer. Otherwise, the team interested in paying for the Argentine's services will have to come up with the €700M (over $835M) stipulated in his buyout clause.
Negotiations will surely continue on Wednesday, when Barcelona's president is expected to meet with Jorge Messi, the player's father and agent. Llorens has also stated that Bartomeu will offer Messi a two-year contract extension, while Messi's father is set to negotiate his son's exit from the club in a satisfying manner for both parties.
