Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi transfer fee 'could be as low as £88.8m'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 September 2020

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi could reportedly be leaving Camp Nou in a compromise deal worth just €100m (£88.8m) during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi could reportedly depart the Catalan giants for as little as €100m (£88.8m) during the summer transfer window.

Speculation has been rife surrounding the 33-year-old's future since he announced his desire to leave Barcelona, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain believed to be battling it out for Messi's signature.

Messi's father recently held talks with the La Liga giants over his son's future, but it is understood that those discussions did not bear fruit and Messi's future remains shrouded in uncertainty.

The Argentine currently possesses a £632m release clause in his current deal, but The Telegraph suggests that Barca could reach a compromise in order to avoid a situation where the six-time Ballon d'Or winner could walk away for free next summer.

The report claims that La Blaugrana may be willing to part ways with their captain for just €100m (£88.8m), and this scenario is being seriously considered by Barcelona with the need to balance the books in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nevertheless, reports elsewhere have claimed that Messi could perform a sensational U-turn and stay in Catalonia, where he boasts an unparalleled record of 634 goals from 731 games across all competitions.