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January transfer news & rumours: Messi could leave Barcelona for free

Barcelona could see Lionel Messi depart the club without a release payment if Catalonia is successful in its bid for independence, El Mundo reports.

The Argentine star's contract has a clause written into it indicating he can leave for free if there is a secession, although if Barca were to go on playing in either Spain, England, France or Germany's top flight, he would remain tied to the Camp Nou outfit.

Messi currently has a €700 million release clause in his contract, which was signed late in 2017, but if the Catalan independence bid was to be successful, the 30-year-old would become available on a free transfer.