Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that he feels nervous about the future of Lionel Messi, who is no longer linked with the club after his contract expired.
Messi, who became a free agent on July 1, has agreed on most terms in a new contract but has had to wait by Barcelona, who need to lower their salary budget by a huge 170 million pounds to get back under the salary cap before they can sign Messi.
The scope of the information means that there is a real possibility that Barcelona will not be able to write about Messi again, and Koeman admitted that he does not exactly sleep easily due to the whole situation.
“When a problem is not solved, you have to worry,” Koeman said (via Marca). “But I have full confidence in our President to solve the problem, and I hope so [it will] because it is very important for the club but also for La Liga that the best player in the world stays and we all have to make an effort for him to stay with us.
“Joan Laporta told me yesterday to be calm, that we are working on this issue and we have the confidence to reach an agreement with Leo [for him to] continue for a few more years.
“He has always shown that he wants to stay in Barcelona and they are working to reach an agreement.
Messi’s contract has expired / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
“Leo is playing in the Copa America, he has other things on his mind and hopefully he will win the final against Brazil. He has always given his all for this club and hopefully he will stay. For me he should stay to finish having on wearing another shirt is not good. “
Getting below the salary cap will not be an easy task for Barcelona. People like Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti are expected to leave on loan, and it has even been suggested that Antoine Griezmann must be sold because he is the club’s top scorer now that Messi is gone.
“I will count on all the players we have and if there is a change we have to accept it, but that is one thing for the club,” added Koeman. “We are trying to improve the team and we will see who stays and who leaves. There are many decisions we can not say today.
Griezmann may need to be sold to make room for Messi / David Ramos / Getty Images
“Griezmann? He is very important because he has shown his quality, he was a good signing for Barcelona and I count all the players I have right now.
“The most important thing, above all, is to do everything to keep Leo. That is the most important thing, because he is the future of the club. His performances every year are excellent and we must do everything we can to make sure he stays.”
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