Argentina forward absent from training ground on SundayLeague statement clarifies Messi’s release clauseThe Spanish league has insisted that
Lionel Messi remains under contract at
Barcelona, just hours after he failed to turn up for a pre-season medical at the club.
Manchester City have spoken to the Argentinian and hope to be able to find a way to sign him but La Liga announced on Sunday that they will not cooperate with any attempt to register him for another club unless his €700m (£625m) buyout clause is paid.
Having officially informed Barça of his intention to leave on Tuesday, Messi is attempting to exercise a clause in the contract he signed in 2017 that allows him to depart for free at the end of each season. Barcelona, though, immediately replied with a formal letter of their own insisting that the clause had already expired and that he could no longer walk away for free.