Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal discussed multiple Inter linked players, including Lionel Messi, in an interview in today’s paper edition of the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

“If Messi will stay at Barça? This is a question to ask him. We have faith in his permanence. Leo said that Barcelona is everything to him, that he wants to stay here, there are all the conditions. We are talking about the best player in the world and negotiating a renewal with players of this type is never easy.”

Abidal then discussed Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, both players having contracts expiring in 2021.

“First of all, we always want to protect players who have come up from the youth system because our philosophy is distinct from that of other teams, even at the planning level. We don’t just look at the quality of the player, because everyone has qualities, but also their age to prepare for the future. They will make the decision, but we must be prepared for every eventuality.”

There have been suggestions that six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi could leave the Blaugrana in the summer on a free transfer, with rumours highlighting certain aspects of his contract that could allow him to leave before the summer 2021 expiry date. The 32-year-old Argentine forward clashed with Abidal after the sporting director suggested that certain players wanted previous coach Ernesto Valverde to be dismissed.

Inter were previously linked with both Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal as it became clear that Nerazzurri coach Antonio Conte was keen for an experienced midfielder to reinforce the squad in the January transfer window. However, the Milanese club ended up signing Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen.