Lionel Messi’s dad and rep Jorge arrives in Barcelona for showdown talks with club as son ‘agrees £623m City transfer’
LIONEL MESSI’S dad and representative Jorge has jetted in to Barcelona from Argentina for showdown talks over his son’s future.
Messi, 33, last week stunned Barca bosses after handing in a transfer request, signalling his intent to leave the club after 16 seasons.
He is now locked in dispute with the Spanish giants over after claiming that a release clause in his contract allows him to quit for nothing with immediate effect.
Nou Camp officials believe the stipulation expired on June 10, with the Argentine superstar under contract until the summer of 2021.
And LaLiga have backed the Catalan giants, insisting Messi’s €700millon (£629m) buy-out clause is still valid.
It has led to the player going on strike and refusing to train, and leaving his dad to hash it out with club chiefs.
Upon arriving in Catalonia, Jorge bluntly said: “I don’t know anything guys.”
The development comes amid sensational reports that Messi has agreed a record £623m deal to join Manchester City.
According to Record Sport, the Argentine accepted financial terms on a five-year contract matching his massive release clause.
It would see him link up with former mentor Pep Guardiola, who managed the forward for four seasons in Spain.
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The incredible deal would make Messi the highest-paid individual in the history of the sport.
It equates to £14,200 an hour, £341,000 per day, £2.4m every week and a whopping £10.4m per month.
Messi would spend three seasons at the Etihad before joining City Football Group’s Major League Soccer side New York City FC for two years.
It is also reported the player could be offered an equity stake in CFG as part of his package.
The fallout from the transfer saga has led to Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu facing calls from fans to step down.
Victor Font, a candidate to replace him, insisted Bartomeu must honour his pledge to allow Messi or anyone else to leave if they wish to do so.
Font explained: “A couple of months ago the president said players have earned the right to leave and retire whenever they want.
“Now, because of these very exceptional circumstances, he has to honour that commitment.”
