Barcelona will do everything they can to keep Leo Messi at the Nou Camp but accept they may not be able to match a potential offer from a bigger-spending club.

The 27-year-old, who is Barca’s all-time top scorer, is tied to the Catalan giants until June 2019 and has a £205 million release clause in his contract.

When asked about Messi’s future, Barca international sporting director Ariedo Braida said: “I believe it’s very difficult that Messi will leave Barca but at times in football strange things happen.

“Now with these clubs that have so much money like (Manchester) City, certain amounts don’t seem to have a value.

“In football things happen that appear impossible but I hope he will remain.”

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