Ronald Koeman reportedly told Lionel Messithat the privileges in the Barcelona squad are “over” – which prompted his transfer request.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that Messi was ready to leave the Catalan giants after nearly two decades at the club.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner sent a burofax to president Josep Bartomeu expressing his desire to leave the club as soon as possible.

It comes after speaking to new manager Koeman, who attempted to lay down the law to the 33-year-old.

“The privileges in this squad are over, you have to do everything for the team,” the Dutchman declared per Deportes Cuatro.

“I’m going to be inflexible; you must only be thinking about the team.”

Messi allegedly took the comments poorly having not been spoken to in that manner by any other Barcelona manager.

He has also taken exception to Koeman’s treatment of teammate and close friend Luis Suarez.

Suarez is the club’s third all time top goalscorer and a brutal phone call from Koeman “ended his Barcelona career” in “just 60 seconds” according to SPORT.

Though Messi’s release clause is set at €700 million, he has requested that Barca refer to the clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a free at the end of each season.

The transfer saga was addressed on Wednesdayduring Barcelona’s unveiling of Francisco Trincao.

Sporting director Ramon Planes stressed the club are planning their future with Messi in mind and they do not want to let him go.

“We do not contemplate any contractual exit, because we want Leo to stay,” Planes begun.

“Internally we are working long hours to find the best solution for FCB and for Leo.

“This is evidently the important news, we have said many times, as (Ronald) Koeman and the president have said, we count on Messi for the future just like we count on Trincao as a talent for the future.

“We hope he will play alongside the greatest player in the history, the greatest player in the world, but these things happen and we hope we will come back stronger from the defeat at the end of last season.

“What has happened has happened and our idea is to build a team around the most important player in the world.”

Marcelo Bachler has reported that Messi’s likely destination is Manchester City.

Bachler, who broke the news of Neymar’s stunning transfer to Paris Saint-Germain three years ago, claims the Argentine international has spoken to former Barca boss Pep Guardiola about a potential reunion.

source:- sportbible