Barcelona will keep Messi and sell Neymar – Laporta

Former Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has claimed Lionel Messi will remain at the club, but they may be forced to cash in on Neymar.

Messi has been linked with leaving the Nou Camp, while Neymar is in the middle of negotiations over a new deal.

But Laporta insists the reverse will happen and the Brazilian will be sold.

“When I was the capo of the club I received many proposals from Inter [Milan] and other clubs to pay Messi’s release clause but I always said that it was impossible. If I were Barca president, Messi would never leave Barca,” Laporta told Radio Montecarlo in quotes picked up by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Barcelona’s current situation is not very good and to even out Bartomeu’s accounts he must sell players or other assets.

“The best solution is to sell big players. It has been said that Manchester United has been interested but that is the result of current mismanagement.”

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, is however confident that Messi will sign a new five-year deal.

“Messi will retire here, I hope, after many years and I am basing this on recent comments from his dad, who said that he doesn’t see his son playing for any other club,” Bartomeu told 8TV.

“So when the moment arrives, we will offer him an extension.”

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