What’s the story?
Barcelona are sweating on Lionel Messi's contract situation as in less than 50 days, he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract with any club of his choice. Things have got a lot more complicated now as the Argentine has reportedly asked for a new clause.
As per reports in the Daily Mirror, the forward wants a clause which will enable him to leave the club whenever he wants. He wants to play for the Newell's Old Boys before retiring and is waiting for the right time to move.
In case you didn’t know...
Messi's current contract at Barcelona expires at the end of this season and he's yet to sign a new one. From January 1st, the Argentine will be free to sign a pre-contract and Barcelona will not be able to stop him from doing so.
The heart of the matter
The new clause requested by Leo Messi to sign a contract has put Barcelona in a tough spot. They wanted him to sign a lifetime contract but this is the exact opposite of what they wanted.
The Catalan side are 'in talks' with Messi's father once again and hope to convince the forward to retire at the club itself. They do not want to sell him or let him walk away for free as well.
Things get more complicated for Barcelona as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are waiting on the wings to swoop in. If Messi hasn't signed a pre-contract by December 31st, the two cash-rich clubs will be knocking at his doors with their chequebooks ready!
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Author’s Take
Barcelona should be happy that Messi is not asking for a clause to move to Manchester City or PSG. He wants to fulfil his childhood dream of playing for Newell's Old Boys and that is something they should grant him for the things he has done for the club in the past decade!