In a busy summer at Barcelona, the Catalan club have insisted that one man’s Nou Camp future is completely safe – Lionel Messi.
Barca’s long list of departees since the end of last season already includes Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Cesc Fabregas, while veterans Xavi, Dani Alves and more could also head through the exit door in the next few weeks.
However, president Josep Maria Bartomeu was adamant that Argentine star Messi will remain with the club for the long-term, having put a season of unrest behind him by signing a new deal shortly before heading to Brazil for the World Cup.
Messi had been linked with a sensational move to Paris Saint- Germain during his period of discontent last season, but Bartomeu believes that uncertainty is now a thing of the past, saying: “Messi is unsellable and he will lead the profound renewal we are carrying out with the first team.
“I know he doesn’t want to leave. We gave him an adapted contract not long ago and he’s very happy. I wish him luck at the World Cup.”
One of the chief tasks awaiting newly appointed coach Luis Enrique is devising a playing style which allows Messi and fellow South American star Neymar to shine in the same line-up – some thing that rarely materialised under Tata Martino last season.
Neymar’s on-pitch plight was hardly help by a long-running controversy over his arrival at the Nou Camp, with Barca finding themselves accused of attempting to evade tax by concealing the full value of his transfer from Santos.
That case is still rumbling on, and Bartomeu – who was appointed president earlier this year after predecessor Sandro Rosell was forced into resignation over the saga – continued to maintain his club’s innocence.
“We’re relaxed about it,” said Bartomeu. “The prosecutor has one interpretation but soon Rosell, Neymar’s father and the club will give evidence. We stand to benefit if the truth comes out and I don’t lose any sleep over the possibility of being charged.”
Bartomeu added that Barca will make at least two more summer signings, with a striker and central defender on the agenda
Luis Suarez is likely to become the new front man, while PSG’s Marquinhos and Valencia’s Jeremy Mathieu have been linked in the search for a central defender.
“We know who we want to sign. I can’t reveal the names but they excite me,” Bartomeu said.
Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta this week praised Suarez’s contrition following his bite on Girgio Chiellini at the World Cup, and Bartomeu followed suit.
He said: “There is a lot of speculation, but I can’t talk about this. Suarez is a Liverpool player, but what I would say is that he’s accepted that he’s made a mistake and that is to his credit. It’s the start of his rehabilitation. He needs help. More than that I can’t say.”
