Juventus make Messi enquiry, An agent claiming to be working on Juventus’ behalf has made inquiries about the possible cost of signing Lionel Messi.
According to Skysports, the informant has also outlined suggestions to Messi’s entourage that explain how he should integrate into the Juventus team.
Nevertheless, sources in Italy suggested that, following the coronavirus pandemic, Juventus is in a tough financial position and is unlikely to be able to afford Messi.
Juventus players decided to waive March’s four-month salaries to help, and rumors suggested that either Cristiano Ronaldo or Paulo Dybala could be forced to sell this summer.
Lionel Messi failed a coronavirus test on Sunday morning at the training ground in Barcelona, club sources reported to AFP, therefore raising the likelihood that he will now miss the pre-season to force a transfer.
But La Liga gave a boost to Barca’s hopes of keeping Messi by reporting that his contract’s release clause, set at €700 million ($833 million), still applies.
Messi and his lawyers believe a separate clause means he should be allowed to leave for free this summer.
Without passing a coronavirus test, Messi will be unable to join team-mates for Ronald Koeman’s first training session on Monday, with the start of the new La Liga season less than two weeks away.
Messi was due for testing at 10.15am on Sunday but according to sources at Barcelona, he failed to show up at the Ciutat Esportiva.
The club’s captain and greatest ever player could now be punished with a fine and even a reduction in salary if the strike continues.
Luis Suarez – his best friend and strike partner – and Arturo Vidal were among those seen arriving for tests, despite both players being told they should find new teams as part of a planned clear-out this summer.
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The meeting-up was an opportunity for Messi to make his first public appearance since Tuesday evening the burofax announcing his intention to leave arrived at the Camp Nou offices.
Instead, his absence gives a strong indicator of his willingness to make a compromise and how ugly the conflict could become now.
Participating in the pre-season program of the team could hurt his legal case if his transfer is finally settled in court.
Barcelona insist a clause included in Messi’s contract that allowed him to go for free this summer had to be activated by June 10 and the only way the 33-year-old will be allowed to depart now is via the payment of 700 million euros.
La Liga, who were always likely to take the side of the club, agree that Messi’s release clause is still valid.
“The contract is currently in force and has a ‘termination clause’ applicable if Lionel Andres Messi decides to activate the early unilateral termination of the contract,” La Liga said in a statement. Juventus make Messi enquiry
“In compliance with the regulations and procedure in these cases, La Liga will not de-register the player from the (Spanish football) federation unless they have previously paid the amount of said clause.”
But Messi’s lawyers believe the clause allowing him to leave for free does not apply to a particular date but to 10 days after the season ends.
Because of the pandemic last season has been extended to August, with the Champions League final only played last weekend, they maintain Messi ‘s offer to leave came within the agreed period.
His absence on Sunday shows that he is able to do whatever it takes to get out of the club he joined as a 13-year-old boy, and where he was most likely to continue to retire.
