Messi increasingly uncomfortable at Barcelona

Argentine pro forward Lionel Messi with his Barcelona teammates before the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Portugal. Barcelona fell to Bayern Munich 2-8. Photo: Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

The reports continue in Spain and Argentina that Lionel Messi is looking for the Barcelona exit, with Inter or Manchester City his only real options.

La Pulga has remained absolutely silent throughout the speculation and hasn’t spoken publicly since the 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

According to RAC 1, Messi has already had one brief meeting with new coach Ronald Koeman, in which the forward said he felt ‘more out than in’ at Barcelona.

Now ESPN maintain some of the board members would be happy listening to offers for a Messi sale.

There is a €700m release clause, but the contract only runs to June 2021.

It had also been reported there was a clause allowing Messi to leave for free a year before the expiry, although it’s not clear what the dates or circumstances are for that being allowed to happen.

Inter and Manchester City are the only realistic candidates should Messi decide to break away from Camp Nou.