Spanish football giants Barcelona in its bid to avoid a legal battle with its Captain Lionel Messi at all costs, but have stood firm by slamming a £200m release fee on the Argentine maverick who has demanded to leave the club. 
Lionel Messi last summer signed a contract clause with Barcelona where it was stated that he could leave for if he told the club he wanted to leave.
Manchester City, Inter Milan and Paris Saint Germain are the leading sides in the race to sign the Argentine magician but would have to part with a record-shattering fee of £200m if they are to sign the 6-time ballon D’or winner.
Messi has a clause in his contract allowing him to move for free provided he informed the club he wanted to leave 20 days prior to June 10th which was supposed to be the initial end of the season date.
The 33-year-old’s legal advisers are however arguing that he should have had an extended period to indicate he wanted out as the ‘end of the season’ this year end of the season came to an end after the final of the Champions League between Bayern Munich and PSG on August 23. 
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