Barcelona board resigned to losing Messi but want record transfer fee

Barcelona’s board are resigned to losing Lionel Messi this summer – though will insist on a record fee to sell their captain.

Messi has made formal transfer request to Barca this week.

And while club sources have publicly declared they’ll fight to keep hold the Argentine, there’s a resignation inside the board room that Messi has played his last game for the club.

AS says Barca do not want to drag the club’s greatest player through the courts, but will insist on a fee for his departure. Indeed, there’s a belief amongst the directors that Messi should be sold for a world record price – ie., greater than the €222m paid by PSG for Neymar three years ago.

Barca will try to sit down with Messi to find a solution that satisfies both parties. The board considers as a starting point in the negotiation that Messi can leave as long as it is the most expensive transfer in the club’s history.