Soccer Transfer Rumors: Lionel Messi Very Close to Leaving FC Barcelona, Neymar Also Wants Out
FC Barcelona currently stands at second place in the La Liga Table and is the defending Champions League winners. They have done it with the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, but according to Sky Sports, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague noted that Messi is considering a Barcelona exit.
"It is the closest he's ever been to leaving Barcelona. It doesn't mean he will, but it is the closest he has ever been to leaving the club," Balague said.
Sky Sports' Graham Hunter also chimed in his thoughts on the departure of the forward from Spain. He said, "The climate, not just at the Camp Nou but in Catalonia, is probably enough to make him and his family scratch their heads and wonder. I guess at his age, maybe you start to look at your next move and you think your next move at 28 is vitally important."
The Argentine international is currently sidelined with a knee injury and is on trial for tax fraud charges, per El Pais as translated by Forbes. The 28-year-old forward and his father could each face a jail sentence of 22 months and 15 days together with a €4.1 million fine.
However, Spanish newspaper Sport via The Express reports that Barcelona is ready to give Messi a contract extension. He has a release clause of £180 million in his contract, which expires in 2018. Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all reportedly interested in the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.
In Messi's absence, Neymar and Luis Suarez have picked up their games, but Don Balon Magazine via The Metro reports that Neymar is looking to leave Barcelona to have the chance to become the best player in the world. The Brazilian thinks that he can't win the Ballon d'Or if he plays behind the shadow of Messi.
The 23-year-old's father has confirmed that Manchester United is interested in signing his son and the club is willing to pay a world-record fee for his services. Even Neymar himself has said that there have been talks between him and United representatives this past summer, per a separate Sky Sports report.
According to The Sun via EuroSport, Barcelona is also willing to offer the former Santos player a contract extension. The Catalan club plans to make Neymar the third-highest paid footballer in the world with £500,000-per-week salary. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are paid £565,000 per week and £550,000 per week, respectively.
Besides United, PSG is also interested in signing Neymar and are willing to pay the €190-million release clause, per Barca Blaugranes.
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