Lionel Messi is being linked to a possible transfer move to Bayern Munich, but club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted that acquiring the FC Barcelona superstar is a long shot.
Recent reports indicated that Messi might eventually leave FC Barcelona because of his tumultuous relationship with club officials, particularly coach Luis Enrique.
Messi, who has spent his entire senior career at Barcelona, reportedly has a 250 million euro release clause, which means that not all teams can afford to make a run at acquiring the superstar forward.
Bayern Munich, along with several Barclays Premier League clubs, are reportedly willing to spend to acquire Messi.
Messi also has ties with the German club having spent time with current Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola when he was still coaching Barca. But according to Rummenigge, he cannot see FC Barcelona selling the Argentina international because Messi should spend his entire club career at Camp Nou.
"Messi and Barcelona are like a marriage for a lifetime," Rummenigge told ESPN. "They should not be separated from each other, just like Bayern and Philipp Lahm. I know those in charge at Barcelona pretty well, they will never sell him. He has a 250 million-euro release clause. Messi has to stay at Barcelona."
Aside from Bayern Munich, Premier League club Chelsea are also being linked to a possible transfer deal to acquire Messi from FC Barcelona, but Blues officials have already denied interest in striking a deal with the Spanish La Liga powerhouse club.
Chelsea assistant manager Steve Holland said that acquiring Messi is almost impossible because of the lucrative release clause, which could lead to violation of FIFA's financial fair play rule.
"We've brought one or two players in over the last 12 months but it's quite clear that players have been sold to balance the books," Holland told Metro UK. "When you look at the numbers being mentioned around the Messi deal, I think it's almost an impossible deal for any club working within the restraints of financial fair play."
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who played with Messi at Camp Nou, also denied that he is serving as middleman between the 27-year-old superstar and the Blues. Fabregas is also convinced that Messi will honor his current contract with FC Barcelona because the Santa Fe, Argentina native is happy at Camp Nou.
