Following his unexpected transfer request last month, Messi is in talks with Barcelona about his next move.

And former Liverpool forward Suarez may be close to signing with Juventus, although passport issues appear to be delaying the deal.

 

 

 

 

 

They decided to get together on Thursday for a game of the popular racquet sport padel, as it appeared their time playing together was limited.

Devoid of Messi, 33, and his father Jorge met for an hour on Thursday to discuss his situation.

Then, Messi’s father, who also serves as his agent, confirmed his son could remain at the Nou Camp this season and leave on a free transfer the following summer.
This comes just 24 hours after the same man stated that it would be difficult for his son to remain at Barcelona for the remainder of the current season, with Manchester City dominating the chase for his services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing the icon, who embroiled in a legal dispute with the Catalans over a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free at the conclusion of the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LaLiga supported Messi’s employers in the dispute, stating that any team wishing to acquire his services must satisfy his release clause of £630 M.

Since then, he has refused to return to preseason training and neglected the club’s mandatory Covid-19 testing last week.

Suarez has been informed by new manager Ronald Koeman that he has no future at the club, which is undoubtedly another cause for Messi’s discontent.

The 33-year-old Uruguayan is currently third on Barca’s all-time list of goal scorers, and it seems highly improbable that he will add to that total.

Juventus hopes to acquire him for approximately £4.4 M and is willing to offer him a £9 M-per-year contract.

However, Suarez is reportedly holding out for a £22 M severance package while he resolves administrative issues.