Panic as Lionel Messi Tops List of 9 Stars Tipped to Leave Barcelona at the end of This Season
- No fewer than nine players are on the possible exit list of Barcelona this summer
- Topping the list is their current captain Lionel Messi whose contract expires with this campaign
- Griezmann, Umtiti, Braithwaite, and five others might be playing for a new club next season
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Lionel Messi's future at Barcelona remains one of the puzzles the board of Joan Laporta must solve before the end of the season.
The Argentine has been linked with a move to Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City this summer as the two clubs are hoping to sign him on a free transfer.
Messi has continued to give the Catalan club sleepless nights following his refusal to pen an extension with less than three months left on his current deal.
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Although the new president is confident he can get the 33-year-old to extend his reign at Camp Nou, the decision solely lies with the player.
Source: Getty Images
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner made efforts to walk away from his contract last August, however, he grudgingly rescinded his decision to see out his contract with the club.
While many are of the opinion that Messi will stay at Barca, some believe it was time for him to test new waters by joining another club before he hangs his boots.
Meanwhile, Messi is not the only player tipped to quit the Nou Camp outfit at the end of this campaign, Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Umtiti are also on the shortlist.
List of all nine players who could leave Barca at the end of this campaign
- Lionel Messi
- Antoine Griezmann
- Philippe Coutinho
- Samuel Umtiti
- Miralem Pjanic
- Francisco Trincao
- Martin Braithwaite
- Junior Firpo
- Oscar Mingueza
The trio of Griezmann, Braithwaite, and Pjanic all have a deal with the Catalans until the summer of 2024 but Messi's deal expires about three months away from now.
Legit.ng earlier reported that in a bid to bolster his squad to battle for titles next season, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is said to have put up at least four players on the transfer list.
The manager is looking to raise funds to do business in the summer transfer window and will now be forced to offload some of his players.
Barcelona have been severely hit by the impact of the coronavirus crisis and now they will need to let some of their big earners leave.
Source: Legit.ng
