Bartomeu resigned to losing Messi and will look for an economic agreement with him

Barcelona's answer to Leo Messi's fax was clear: they refused the request to leave for free and hope that he takes a step back. However, as time goes by the chance of him staying is smaller and smaller... until reaching resignation.

According to 'Catalunya Ràdio', Josep Maria Bartomeu understands that the decision from the Barcelona captain is firm. That's why he intends to meet the player on Wednesday evening at the Camp Nou... and not to make him take a step back.

According to what has been said, the only thing that the Barca president expects of that meeting is to unravel the issue and seek an economic agreement with Leo Messi for his exit after the disagreement between the lawyers of Messi and the club's.

Let's remember that they were bound by a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave for free this summer, but Barca state that this expired in June. The counter answer? That COVID-19 has changed all the deadlines.

Barca only wanted to let Messi leave as the most expensive transfer ever, above the 222 million euros for Neymar, something that obviously isn't possible with the interpretation from the player's lawyers. And furthermore, it seems difficult in a market affected by the coronavirus.

Given the differences between one party and another, everything could be brought to court. And that is what Bartomeu wants to avoid at all costs in his meeting with the Argentine, because of his history in the club and because of having next season looming on the horizon.