Selling Lionel Messi could help Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu solve the club’s financial problems according to a report in today’s print edition of Italian daily newspaper Tuttosport.
Messi has just under a year left to run on his current contract with the Blaugrana club and his silence over his future amid intense speculation linking him with moves elsewhere has worried Bartomeu and the club’s management.
Bartomeu has entrusted convincing Messi to stay to newly appointed manager Ronald Koeman due to being aware he does not have the best of relations with Messi and his entourage.
The report explains that Barcelona could pocket between €150-200 million from selling Messi and in addition to this they would also save €100 million gross a year due to getting his wages off of the club books.
Whilst such money would undoubtedly help Barcelona get themselves back on to a sound financial footing, Bartomeu would be regarded as solely responsible for letting Messi go, which would certainly impact his chances of being re-elected, if he is not forced to resign by then.