Lionel Messi has reportedly issued three demands to Barcelona in order to stay at the club amid interest from the Chinese Super League.
According to Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, speaking on El Chiringuito TV, claims Messi is prepared to quit for China next year. He claimed that Messi has issued three demands in order to prevent the club from losing him on a free transfer in 2018.
FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, left, duels for the ball against Celta de Vigo’s Pablo Hernandez during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
The eight-time La Liga winner wants manager Luis Enrique to leave at the end of the season.
Despite winning the treble in 2015, Barcelona are inconsistent under the Spaniard and Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli is Messi’s preferred choice to succeed him. The player has also told club chiefs to splash the cash this summer.
Summer signings Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer have struggled at the Nou Camp and Barcelona’s talisman wants them replaced with players of a higher quality. And he also wants a huge wage hike to extend his stay at the club. Barcelona remain confident of keeping their star man.
Messi scored the winner as Barcelona battled their way to a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
But, despite scoring 35 goals in 35 games this season, his future at the Nou Camp is uncertain.
The Argentina international’s contract expires next summer and, as of yet, he is yet to sign an extension.
Clubs from the Far East are ready to offer him wages worth £85million a year in order to quit Barcelona.
