Bartomeu has agreed to step down on one condition

TO GO WITH AFP INTERVIEW FC Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu answers to AFP journalists during an interview at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 24, 2014. Bartomeu has insisted that Lionel Messi will become the world's highest paid footballer once negotiations over his new contract are finalised. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
TO GO WITH AFP INTERVIEW FC Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu answers to AFP journalists during an interview at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 24, 2014. Bartomeu has insisted that Lionel Messi will become the world's highest paid footballer once negotiations over his new contract are finalised. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona president Bartomeu has agreed to step down but it requires one very important condition.

As per ESPN, Bartomeu has agreed to step down if Messi decides to stay at the Camp Nou. This comes in the aftermath of the Argentine’s shock transfer request and the numerous protests being held outside the Club’s office by fans who demand Bartomeu resignation.

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However, it has come to light that Bartomeu will resign if Messi decides to stay with the Blaugrana. The 57-year-old, however, does not want to fasttrack elections and wants the current board of Directors to carry on his duties. The current situation at Camp Nou is horrendous.

With all due respect, if your club’s best player wants to leave under your reign as the president, you ought to resign. Messi has suffered a string of embarrassing losses ever since Bartomeu took over in 2016. The 57-year-old has made many transfer blunders such as the signings of Dembele, Coutinho and Griezmann. Let us not forget that he sold Neymar as well. Barcelona has suffered a series of embarrassing losses in the UCL, throwing away 3-0 first leg leads on two occasions.

The average age of the squad is at an all-time high and this current XI could well be the next AC Milan in the making. It is natural that Messi feels frustrated with the club. Messi has come close to a club exit on three occasions before this. However, by the looks of it, this time he’s almost out of the door.

Manchester City are the favorites to sign him with the Citizens keen on landing him. They have prepared the money just in case the contract dispute between Barcelona and Messi goes in the favor of the board and they demand 700 million euros, which marks the release clause of the 33-year-old.

The next few weeks will be critical to Barcelona’s future and it will be interesting to see how things turn out. However, one thing is clear: Bartomeu must resign.