Rumour: Lionel Messi's contract talks stall at Barcelona

Lionel Messi

According to Daily Mail, Lionel Messi’s contract talks at Barcelona have reached a deadlock as the Catalan club now sees the Argentine as a saleable asset and not their untouchable star player.

The speculation has been fueled further by almost anonymous performances from Messi on the pitch in the cup exits against their fiercest rivals Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid from Europe and Copa Del Ray respectively. The suggestion is that certain members of the club’s board believe the player is now worth more to them in the transfer market than on the pitch.

The £200m rated superstar would be perfect source for funding the Spanish giants’ plans of setting up a new stadium which could cost them around £500m.

However, there would only be a handful of clubs willing to pay such a staggering amount keeping in mind Real Madrid is certainly out of question for obvious reasons. Paris Saint Germain or probably Manchester City could be the only possible destination for the Messi should he decide to part ways with Barcelona.

Current Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu wanted to tie Messi down to a new deal before the World Cup but the player is understood to want £20.5m a year and the club want half of his image rights, currently all due the player.

But the recent lethargic performances from Messi has made the club to think otherwise where they could at least raise the possibility of entertaining offers with the club’s supporters.

Lionel Messi could be sold this summer for £165million by Barcelona as his contract renewal talks have stalled, says AS.

— Sportive23.net (@Sportive23_) April 18, 2014