Messi bids to go on free transfer ... but wages are £45m a year!

on Sunday for a scheduled coronavirus test but has no intention of meeting new coach Ronald Koeman or attending Monday’s subsequent first training session.

The bombshell opens the way to three different scenarios:

• The club could simply point to Messi’s £630million release clause and stick to their belief that his chance to leave on a free passed in June.

• They could accept that he wants to go and open negotiations to buy out the final year of his deal as they are doing with Luis Suarez.

• Or Messi’s move could spark outrage among the fans and a vote of no-confidence in president Josep Bartomeu forcing elections.

The first of these three options is likely to be their initial reaction. But there is a growing belief that at least part of the board want Messi to leave.

The former Barcelona president Joan Laporta accused Bartomeu of wanting to sell Messi. ‘I suspect they want to sell Messi,’ he said in a tweet. ‘Poor Barca in the hands of these incompetents.’

Messi earns £45m net a season and that costs the club close to £90m gross with tax payments.

City, who could possibly afford his wages, might appeal to Messi not only because of his links with Guardiola but also fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero is one of his best friends.

Reports last night that Chelsea are keen on a deal appear to be wide of the mark as the London club would not be able to afford Messi’s wages.

Barcelona’s stance towards Messi has changed drastically since the 8-2 exit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

President Bartomeu has not spoken to the club captain since the debacle.

Koeman has already said he does not want anyone at the club who does not want to be there.