Ex-Barcelona President Reveals €400 Million Bid for Lionel Messi After Neymar's Departure
Former FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made a stunning revelation that an unnamed club was prepared to trigger Lionel Messi's €400 million release clause following Neymar's exit from the club in 2017. In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Bartomeu disclosed that Barcelona acted swiftly to renew Messi's contract, increasing his release clause to €700 million to ensure his long-term future at the Camp Nou.
Swift Action to Secure Messi's Future
Bartomeu explained that once Neymar completed his record-breaking €222 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017, Barcelona received intelligence that another club was gearing up to pay Messi's €400 million release clause. "We sat down with Leo and his father and proposed a contract renewal with an increased release clause of €700 million, which was signed in November 2017," Bartomeu stated. He emphasized that the club did not want to lose Messi under any circumstances, especially after seeing the astronomical fee paid for Neymar.
Reasonable Salary for a Football Legend
The former president also commented on Messi's salary at the time, describing it as "very reasonable" considering the Argentine superstar's immense contributions both on and off the field. Bartomeu highlighted that Messi's renewal was a strategic move to protect the club's interests, as the potential €400 million bid demonstrated the high market value for top-tier players. This revelation sheds new light on the intense transfer market dynamics and Barcelona's efforts to retain their key assets during a period of significant change.
Bartomeu's account underscores the financial pressures and competitive landscape in European football, where clubs must navigate complex contract negotiations to secure their star players. The increased release clause effectively deterred any potential suitors, allowing Messi to continue his legendary career at Barcelona until his departure in 2021.
