Barcelona are struggling to get Lionel Messi to renew his contract at the club. Messi is currently a free agent and is without a club for the first time since 2000. His contract expired on June 30 and there have been many underlying problems in its renewal and Financial Fair Play is the least of them. Let’s have a look at them.
Messi’s pending Finances and Taxes
Changes in the new contract are bound to affect Messi financially. The least he wants is the tax matters to be clear and defined. His payments have been delayed and as he plans to move to USA after 2023, he wants to clear the financial records. He wants to know where will he pay his taxes after his US move, should he receive any deferred money that he is supposed to earn in Spain.
Finalize Payment Terms
Barcelona are hugely cutting losses and one of the measures is lowering paychecks of the players significantly. Messi’s case will be no different. The Argentinian has already agreed to take a significant reduction in terms of pay, but no final numbers have been discussed.
Messi needs a guarantee
Following the catastrophic reign of Bartomeu, Messi no longer wants to be on the sidelines of his own career. He wants to have a guarantee that he will be paid the amount that is agreed upon when he signs. Even if a new wave of the COVID-19 breaks out, he doesn’t want a delay in his financials being cleared. It is clear that Messi wants to know where he stands in the club.
More Money Problems
Messi is Again owed a huge sum by the club and that is a problem. His financial and legal advisors want to make sure that these pending payments are added to the renewal contract.
Barcelona’s sporting project
It is no secret that Messi wants Barcelona to achieve European glory again. Time and again the team has been humiliated at the biggest stage. But Messi still wants to win big trophies and Laporta has similar interests as well. The summer signings of Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, and Memphis Depay have are a proof of the same. This is great news for the No. 10 who wanted the team to include reinforcements. Laporta has also promised another 4 signings in the window to bolster the team.
As of now, Messi is without a club and negotiations are on with Barcelona over a renewal contract till 2023. We can surely say that a lot of issues need to be resolved before any contract is signed.
