Barcelona are doing all they can to get on Lionel Messi’s nerves

Barcelona are not keeping Lionel Messi happy.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been linked with an exit since the club were dumped out of the Champions League, courtesy of an 8-2 thumping by Bayern Munich. The Argentina international has reportedly told Ronald Koeman that he sees himself more outside than inside, at the club.

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With that in mind, the Blaugrana must try to keep its greatest ever player at bay by building a team that he would be comfortable in rather than go for players that wouldn’t settle alongside the captain. However, it is exactly what Josep Maria Bartomeu and Ronald Koeman are teaming up to do, which will have a major aftermath.

Barca are staring at major problems.

Luis Suarez is a player held in high-regard by Lionel Messi, but the Uruguay international is on the transfer list. While a part of his potential sale makes sense, the club has taken absolutely no initiative to negotiate with Inter Milan for Lautaro Martinez’s transfer, which has been personally requested by Messi.

Next up is the Philippe Coutinho situation. The Brazil international has shown Barca that he still has the quality, but that’s not going to work at a club whose playing style is completely different as opposed to the likes of Bayern or Liverpool. But instead of selling him, the coach is going to count on him, similarly in Ousmane Dembele’s case, instead of cashing-in on the duo to land Neymar.

At this point in time, the Catalans also owe 5 million euros to Liverpool as part of their agreement following Coutinho’s transfer. While the winger didn’t win the Champions League at the Camp Nou, he did so whilst having a contract with the Blaugrana and therefore, the bonus payment must be awarded to the Reds.

What do you make of Barca’s recent activities and their implications on Messi’s future?