Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'enquired about Barcelona's transfer plans before asking to leave'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 27 August 2020

Messi 'enquired about Barca transfer plans before asking to leave'

Lionel Messi reportedly enquired about Barcelona's transfer plans - a question new manager Ronald Koeman was unable to answer - before asking to leave the club.

Lionel Messi reportedly asked new manager Ronald Koeman which players Barcelona were planning to sign this summer before handing in a transfer request at the club.

Arguably the game's greatest ever player put Europe's richest clubs on red alert earlier this week when he stated his intention to leave Barcelona - the only club he has ever represented.

The decision came in the wake of Barca's 8-2 Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich and also after a private meeting with Koeman, details of which were reportedly leaked to the press, angering Messi further.

Cadena SER claims that Messi asked Koeman for Barcelona's transfer plans during that meeting, but that Koeman was unable to give a concrete answer due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the club.

The Spanish giants reportedly need to offload a number of high-profile players before they can think about bringing in new ones, which could have contributed towards Messi deciding to leave as he eyes more Champions League glory before he hangs up his boots.

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has been the player most heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, while Manchester City's Eric Garcia, who came through the ranks at La Masia, is also thought to be on their radar.