LIONEL MESSI has dropped the bombshell of all bombshells by sending an official fax demanding to leave Barcelona.
We have all the latest with club president Bartomeu reportedly considering resigning and Ronald Koeman believed to have told the Argentine he would "end his privileges".
Follow ALL of the latest transfer gossip, news and updates below…
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A FINE MESS
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are the only two suitors that would be able to afford a transfer fee for Lionel Messi, reports claim.
The Argentine, 33, rocked the football world by making it clear that he intends to walk out on Barcelona this summer.
But should he be incorrect in his assertion that he can go for free, his options could be more limited.
Spanish outlet Sport claim that Inter Milan could be in the mix, however, should they only need to fork out for his wages after a free transfer.
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'RESPECT AND ADMIRATION'
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has tweeted his support to former team-mate Lionel Messi amid his decision to leave Camp Nou.
The shaggy-haired former defender posted, in Spanish: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend.”
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ICYMI – KOE FOOL
Ronald Koeman's meeting with Lionel Messi is believed to be the thing that tipped the Argentine over the edge at Barcelona.
The Dutchman is reported to have said that “the privileges are over” and that he would be “be inflexible, it's necessary to think of the team.”
Angered by this apparent belittling of his status within the squad, Messi has now decided to leave Camp Nou for good.
Koeman apparently told Messi that the “privileges were over.” For Messi that was too much, leading to his decision to leave.
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BAR NONE
FC Barcelona club president Jose Maria Bartomeu is considering handing in his resignation amid Lionel Messi's transfer request, according to BeinSports correspondent Achraf Ben Ayad.
He tweeted: “Bartomeu is seriously considering resigning after Messi requested to leave.”
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LAP OF DISHONOUR
Former FC Barcelona club president Joan Laporta has called on current chief Jose Maria Bartomeu to resign in the wake of Lionel Messi's stunning transfer request.
He tweeted: “Bartomeu and his Board must resign immediately.
They have been undermining the morale of messi to save themselves from the economic and sporting turmoil they have created.
If they resigned there would still be hope that Messi would stay at bara“
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LION IN WAIT?
Lionel Messi's public transfer request could be a ploy to force the exit of Barcelona club president Jose Maria Bartomeu, according to New York Times reporter Tariq Panja.
He tweeted: “Hardly an extreme thought, but feel Messi power move is likely to lead to exit of Bartomeu and board and Messi eventually staying put. (Ready for this tweet didn’t age well comments down the road of course!)”
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SAMP-THING LIKE THAT
Serie A side Sampdoria have cheekily thrown their name into the mix to sign Lionel Messi on Twitter.
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KOE FOOL
Ronald Koeman's meeting with Lionel Messi is believed to be the thing that tipped the Argentine over the edge at Barcelona.
The Dutchman is reported to have said that “the privileges are over” and that he would be “be inflexible, it's necessary to think of the team.”
Angered by this apparent belittling of his status within the squad, Messi has now decided to leave Camp Nou for good.
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PRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT
Even the President of the Government of Catalunya has weighed in on Lionel Messi's seemingly imminent Barcelona departure.
Quim Torra i Pla tweeted: “Catalonia will always be your home.
“Thank you so much for all this time of happiness and extraordinary football.
“We have been lucky enough to share a few years of our lives with the best player in the world. And a noble athlete We will never forget you. Leo Messi, St. George's Cross.”
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ON GUARD
It's clear that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is still enamoured with Lionel Messi.
And following the Argentine's shock admission that he wants to leave Barcelona a free transfer, perhaps the pair could be reunited…
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BLUE IN THE FACE
BT Sport pundit and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has tweeted that Frank Lampard is trying to pull off a deal to bring Lionel Messi to Chelsea, following the Argentine's admission that he wants to leave Barcelona.
Surely not…
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THIRTY PLUS
While Lionel Messi may be 33, he hasn't showed any signs of slowing down.
These Squawka stats prove that whoever lands the wantaway Argentine this summer will be getting a legendary superstar still at the peak of his powers.
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LU GOTTA DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO
Luis Suarez appears to have echoed Carles Puyol's support for wantaway Barcelona star Lionel Messi on Twitter.
The Uruguayan, himself linked with a transfer, replied with two “applause” emojis after Puyol commented his “respect and admiration” for his former team-mate in the wake of the news.
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SO INTER MESSI
Former Inter Milan chief Massimo Moratti believes that his former club will go all out to sign Lionel Messi, amid the news that he wants to leave Barcelona.
He said: “I imagine Inter have already tried [to sign him]. I've seen the Suning advert with the Argentine's silhouette on the Duomo and this makes me think an initiative has already been taken. If not, I think they will do so soon.”
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'RESPECT AND ADMIRATION'
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has tweeted his support to former team-mate Lionel Messi amid his decision to leave Camp Nou.
The shaggy-haired former defender posted, in Spanish: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend.”
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MAKING THE KHAL
Man City supremo Khaldoon Al Mubarak yesterday said: ““The age bracket, we are always looking at it in that 20-25 year old.
“At the same time, sometimes opportunities come up that fit with what the manager wants and with what we need for the squad that might be out of that box…”
Could he have been talking about Lionel Messi?
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END OF AN ERA
With the bombshell news that Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona, it appears to be the end of a trophy-laden era at Camp Nou.
Here is the sort of haul that his potential suitor could have to look forward to.
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MESSI SAGA
Lionel Messi has confirmed that he wants to leave Barcelona, but the LaLiga giants aren't going to take the news lying down…
But one thing is for sure – Barca are in crisis.
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BOARD STIFF
FC Barcelona have called an emergency meeting, after the shock revelation that Lionel Messi wants to QUIT the club this summer.
Alfredo Martinez reports: “Urgent meeting on behalf of the Barcelona Board of Directors with a very complicated environment at the moment.”
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MORE ON MESSI
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has taken to Twitter to try and clear up the breaking Lionel Messi news.
He wrote: “Messi has sent a burofax to Barcelona asking the club to let him go and use the clause that he had agreed in his last contract by which he can go for free!!!
“Messi thinks the season finished in August, so he can use the clause that frees him from the club before the end of the month. FCB would mention that the contract talks about end of June for Messi to use the clause, so it has expired.
“He has no intention to do the preseason tests or start the training sessions with Ronald Koeman.He had told the coach already that he saw himself “closer to leave than to stay”.
“Would the resignation of Bartomeu and his board be the only way for him to change his mind? I wonder if it is all gone too far now, but everything is possible at this point.”
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WHAT A MESS
Lionel Messi has confirmed that he wants to leave Barcelona, reports claim.
The Argentine met with new boss Ronald Koeman last week, with his future on the agenda.
And according to Marca, Messi has now made it clear that he wants to leave Camp Nou this summer – and has asked them to exercise a clause in which he can terminate his contract.
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PED OVER HEELS
Former Chelsea ace Pedro is now officially a Roma player!
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PL-EASE TAKE ME BACK
Philippe Coutinho would prefer to head back to the Premier League rather than return to Barcelona – with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea keen, according to reports.
The Brazilian's loan at Bayern Munich has come to an end after the Champions League winners opted against exercising their option buy him.
Coutinho is now set to return to parent-club Barcelona for showdown talks with new boss Ronald Koeman.
But Marca claim the “Little Magician”, 28, would rather go back to England, with a host of top clubs interested.
Coutinho has three years left to run on his current contract at Barcelona.
It's claimed Koeman does not see the former Liverpool midfielder in his future plans and will push to sell him, much like Luis Suarez.
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HUGE MESS
Barcelona want to sell star man Lionel Messi this summer.
That’s according to ex-president Joan Laporta, who has also branded the club’s axing of Luis Suarez as an “act of cowardice.”
Barcelona are in turmoil after sacking Quique Setien in the wake of their 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Ronald Koeman has been brought in to steady the ship.
But it’s reckoned he’s ready to cut a number of big names aside in his quest to restore normality to Camp Nou.
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TANGLED MESSI
Lionel Messi has reportedly made his mind up and will soon tell Barcelona whether he will stay or go.
Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are circling with intent ahead of the biggest decision in the striker's career.
In over 15 years in the Blaugrana first-team, the 33-year-old has never appeared as likely to leave the club as he does now.
The turmoil sparked by Barcelona's shocking 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League could be about to send Messi out of the exit door.
Big questions are being asked of the direction of the club with the South American only tied to a one-year contract.
And Argentine outlet Diario Ole report that Messi has made a decision on his future, which will be communicated to the LaLiga giants in the coming days.
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