Messi Sends Transfer Blow To Man City After Bartomeu’s Resignation

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his entire board of directors resigned on Tuesday following the defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico.

And now, that has given a huge boost to Lionel Messi staying on for another season at the Nou Camp – in what would come as a huge blow to Manchester City.

According to The Telegraph, Bartomeu’s departure could have a big impact on what Messi chooses to do next, with the Argentine star now more willing to sign a new contract.

His current deal was set to run out next summer – meaning Pep Guardiola’s Man City and other European clubs could swoop in as soon as January and sign him up on a pre-contract.

But the end of the internal power struggle against Bartomeu means the 33-year-old may now be tempted to retire at his beloved Barca.

It would end hopes of Messi linking up again with Guardiola, after the pair achieved remarkable success together at Barcelona.

Earlier this month Etihad bosses were also talking up the prospect of a reunion, with chief operating officer Omar Berrada hailing the generational talent and claiming that all clubs would ‘explore’ bringing him in.

SEE ALSO | Barcelona President Bartomeu Demands Public Promise From Messi So He Can Resign

But with Bartomeu now gone, the game has changed for any clubs sniffing at the possibility.

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