Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed that a serious threat involving Lionel Messi emerged after Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain. According to him, an unnamed club wanted to sign the Argentine forward by paying his €400 million release clause. This is reported by Goal.com .
In an interview with Cadena SER, Bartomeu recalled that the club's management was under immense pressure at the time. Following the Neymar transfer, it is said that one of Europe's major clubs received financial backing from the Middle East to lure Messi away.
Although many speculated that Manchester City was behind this transfer, Bartomeu denied it. The former president emphasized that the club that made the offer was not Manchester City and added that the funds were transferred to European bank accounts.
Bartomeu did not want to disclose the name of the club, but this situation could have caused a massive stir in the football world at the time. This event is remembered as one of the most complex periods in Barcelona's history.
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