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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Martin Domin

Lionel Messi among only three Barcelona stars 'safe from being sold' by crisis club

Barcelona could be set for a fire sale this summer - with only three players safe from the chop.

The La Liga leaders have been plunged into crisis thank to the combination of a boardroom revolt and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Catalan giants look set to be hit hard financially over the coming months and ESPN claim only talisman Lionel Messi, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and starlet Frenkie de Jong not for sale.

Indeed, the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes the pandemic could see clubs resorting to swap deals.

Lionel Messi remains untouchable (Getty Images)

"There is not going to be as much money in the transfer market because of the pandemic," he said. "But I predict that we are going to see a lot more swap deals."

Barcelona have already agreed deals for Braga forward Francisco Trincao who will cost €30million deal and for Las Palmas midfielder Pedri will join for €5m.

But last week, six directors resigned in protest at the way the club is being run.

Two of the club's four vice presidents, Emili Rousaud and Enrique Tombas, were among those to announce their resignation in a letter to fans published in Spanish media on Friday.

They were joined by directors Silvio Elias, Josep Pont, Jordi Calsamiglia and Maria Texidor.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will also stay (SIPA USA/PA Images)

The departing directors had criticised the club's handling of a social media scandal and expressed doubts about the board's ability to handle the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a 70 per cent players' pay cut.

Barcelona said the board had approved the appointments of Jordi Moix as vice president for economic and equity, Pau Vilanova as institutional vice president, Oriol Tomas as vice president of the commercial area, Marta Plana as board secretary, and David Bellver as treasurer.

"Javier Bordas will be the manager responsible for the football first team, while Xavier Vilajoana will be in charge of Barca B, the youth teams and women's football," Barcelona said in a statement.

Frenkie de Jong won't be sold this summer (SIPA USA/PA Images)

The club added they would take legal action against Rousand for allegations that "seriously damage the institution's image".

Joan Blade, who is responsible for the club's basketball teams, would also now manage Barcelona's control and transparency committee, the club added.

The outgoing directors had asked president Bartomeu to call presidential elections and voiced "displeasure" over the club's hiring of a third party, I3 Ventures, earlier this year to monitor social media coverage of Barca.

Bartomeu has denied accusations the company created social media accounts to smear future presidential candidates, and former and current players but rescinded the club's contract with the firm anyway. I3 has also denied any wrongdoing.

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