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Lionel Messi Is '90% Likely To Stay' At Barcelona Until 2021

Lionel Messi Is '90% Likely To Stay' At Barcelona Until 2021

Messi had been linked with a move to Manchester City but reports suggest he could now stay at Barcelona.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Lionel Messi could now stay at Barcelona until 2021 in a stunning twist following intense transfer speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City.

Messi, 33, told Barcelona he wanted to leave after handing in a transfer request.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Manchester City were thought to be favourites to land the six-time ballon d'Or winner with the likes of Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring his situation.

But reports in Argentina claim Messi is set to remain at the Camp Nou and fulfill his current contract.

TyC Sports say there's a "90% chance that Messi will continue in Barcelona" with a final decision to be made today.

They claim that this is a new development following showdown talks between the player's father and agent Jorge and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The Argentine outlet added: "Messi is seriously evaluating staying in Barcelona until 2021 and leaving through the front door at the end of his contract."

Messi had previously been hellbent on leaving the club this summer after failing to turn up for COVID-19 tests and training.

Barcelona refused to let their superstar forward leave on a free transfer, insisting the €700 million release clause is still active.

Though if Messi does indeed commit to his contract then he could leave on a free transfer next summer.

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

The latest turn in the Messi transfer saga comes as a shock after his father said it was "difficult" for him to stay.

"The future at Barça, difficult, difficult. It's difficult for Leo to stay," he revealed.

Jorge also said he had not spoken to Pep Guardiola about a switch to the Premier League.

When asked if Man City is a good option, he said: "I don't know, there is nothing. I didn't talk to Pep."

Featured Image Credit: PA/PA

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Transfer news

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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