Lionel Messi ‘will report for training on Monday’ with representatives ‘keen to avoid legal dispute’

Lionel Messi is expected to report for Barcelona training on Monday, even though the Argentine has expressed his desire move away from the Nou Camp this summer.

The 33-year-old has handed in a transfer request after new Barca manager Ronald Koeman told him his ‘privileges in the squad were over’, but Messi plans to attend training from August 31 in hope of avoiding a legal dispute with the club.

Messi has a clause in his contract allowing him to move for free provided he informed the club he wanted to leave 20 days prior to June 10 – which was initially the end of season date. 

Lionel Messi is set to continue training with Barcelona despite handing in a transfer request 

Messi submitted official transfer request after showdown talks with new boss Ronald Koeman

The player’s legal advisers are however arguing that he should have had an extended period to indicate he wanted out as the ‘end of the season’ this year was the final of the Champions League between Bayern Munich and PSG on August 23.

Now TyC Sports claim Messi will turn up at training to avoid giving the club an advantage in any future legal proceedings. 

In the meantime, Koeman will decide whether the club captain will train with the first team or on his own while the situation is resolved.

Messi is desperate for a new challenge but realises few clubs will be able to finance a move for him and so is exploring the possibility of departing for free despite having one year left on his deal. 

It is understood Messi only made it clear that he wanted to sign for another club this summer in the days leading up to Sunday’s final, and Barcelona are confident he would not have a legal case if they denied his exit.