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Latest: Juventus join hunt to forge Messi-Ronaldo partnership amid Barca refusal to negotiate

Two latest updates surrounding the future of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi have been buzzing online over the last couple of hours with the superstar’s future being of course the most hotly discussed and debated talking point of world news this week, shadowing global political events, developments and even the latest coronavirus updates.

This comes with the Argentine’s resolve to bid Adieu to Camp Nou for the first time since his arrival almost 20 years ago, and appearing genuinely to pack up and leave ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

On the back of Barcelona’s humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich earlier this month, news was served hot off the press that Messi had become completely fed up with the direction of his long-time club and this, in turn, was followed by the bombshell confirmation on Tuesday night that the Argentine veteran had informed the Blaugrana board – by burofax, nonetheless – of his desire to move on this summer.

Speculation has been rife in the media since that fateful day regarding just where Messi could end up plying his trade next season with the likes of PSG, Inter Milan and, most persistently, Manchester City, have all been whispered potential landing spots for the 6-time Ballon d’Or winner.

And, not surprisingly on Friday evening, a new name has glaringly popped up on the list of Messi’s potential suitors.

And the said club in question? Juventus! (Why doesn’t that come as a surprise at all?!)

As per a report from French outlet L’Equipe, the Italian champions have made a ‘discreet approach’ for Messi, in other words via contact with the Argentine legend’s father, Jorge.

It has been added that Juve ‘dream’ of pairing the 33-year-old with Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Bianconeri continue their pursuit of long overdue Champions League glory.

Significantly, however, along a parallel development on the same evening that Juventus’ apparent interest in Messi’s signature have been revealed, a further update, probably issued with the hope of dealing a blow to any and all clubs keen on the superstar attacker, has also been released, this from Barcelona.

According to the usually reliable Alfredo Martinez of Onda Cero, Barcelona are refusing point blank to negotiate their captain’s sale with any and all suitors.

Beleaguered and shell-shocked Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu is reported to have made it supposedly crystal clear that the only avenue by which Messi could leave the club this summer is if his mammoth €700 million release clause is activated.

Ha ha.