Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is reportedly on course for a legal battle with the club after demanding to be let go on a free transfer.
The 33-year-old has asked to leave the Catalan giants this summer and believes that a clause in his contract allowing him to depart for free should be extended in line with the season as a whole.
The clause was initially due to expire on June 20 - 10 days after the original date of the Champions League final - but the coronavirus lockdown forced the season to extend until August 23 instead.
Messi's representatives are claiming that the terms of his potential release should reflect that change in scenario, whereas Barcelona are arguing that it has already expired.
The wrangling could be worth as much as £632m - the release clause in Messi's contract should the other option have expired - although the two parties could also come to a good faith agreement.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has spent his entire career at Barcelona so far, scoring a club-record 634 goals in 731 appearances across all competitions.
Messi has helped Barcelona to 10 La Liga titles and four of their five Champions League crowns among a 33-trophy haul - by far the most successful era in the club's history.
However, the relationship between club and player could come to an acrimonious end due to the legal disagreement, with the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan among the clubs waiting to see whether Messi will be available for free this summer.
Barney Corkhill
