Lionel Messi: Barcelona future ‘difficult’, admits player’s father and agent

• Jorge Messi arrives in Barcelona and will have talks with club
• Manchester City wait for outcome before deciding next move

Manchester City will wait for negotiations between Jorge Messi and Barcelona to end before deciding on their next move in pursuit of the Ballón d’Or holder, with the player’s father and agent insisting it is difficult for his son to continue in Catalonia. Messi Sr also claimed there was no deal with City, that he had not spoken to Pep Guardiola and he did not know whether his son would be able to leave.

Nine days after Messi served notice of his intention to leave the club, and two days after he failed to turn up for pre-season training, Barcelona continue to insist he is not for sale unless his €700m (£622m) buyout clause is triggered. Messi missed the 10 June deadline that enabled him to walk for free but his lawyers argue that date should be put back because the 2019-20 season ended late. Barcelona have intimated they would take the case to court if he breaks his contract.

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