* Line up Liverpool star, Sadio Mane, as replacement
After weeks of speculation, it has finally been that long-serving forward, Messi had formally requested to depart Camp Nou during the summer transfer window.
However, while the 33-year-old wants to leave on a free transfer due to a clause which has been present in his contract, that option expired on June 10, putting Barcelona in a stronger position at the negotiating table.
Nevertheless, keen to avoid losing the club legend for nothing in 2021, AS claims that the Catalan giants are willing to accept £200 million for the Argentina international.
Despite Messi now closing in on veteran status, that valuation will likely attract interest from a number of top European clubs, including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter Milan and Manchester United are also being tipped to involve themselves in the race for the attacker’s signature.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have turned to Liverpool star, Sadio Mane, should Messi finally leave the club with the Senegalese reportedly ‘willing’ to move to the Nou Camp this summer, but they’d have to meet the attacker’s huge £107million price tag.
Mane is one of Jurgen Klopp’s star players and notched 22 goals in 47 games in 2019-20, helping guide the Anfield club to their first league title in 30 years.
The 28-year-old has been a target of Real Madrid, but Los Blancos were unable to finalise a move with Liverpool determined to keep hold of him.
Spanish publication Sport claims that the Premier League club would demand no less than £108million for their attacker.
Mane has played under Koeman before when the pair were at Southampton, and has reportedly refused to put pen to paper on a new deal that has been on the table for the last nine months.
The Senegalese’s current deal expires in 2023, although Anfield chiefs fear that Mane’s refusal to sign extended terms may mean that he will be on his way out of the club.
The latest contract offer is believed to be around £220,000-per-week, which is a similar amount to that earned by Virgil van Dijk. But at 28, Mane will be aware that his next deal may well be his last big payday.