Stuttgart fans have rallied around the club in a rather hopeful attempt to sign Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
The Argentine’s time at the Camp Nou could be up, with Messi believing he is out of contract and therefore eligible to leave for nothing.
La Liga have however ruled in favour of Barca meaning his eye-watering €700m, release clause still stands.
Stuttgart, who finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga last season surviving via the play-offs, might be a slightly unlikely destination for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner but efforts are being made to raise €900m – the buyout clause and a little extra for wages.
A group of fans has launched a GoFundMe page for their online whip-round – with the funds to be donated to a local charity in the event of the move not coming off.
A statement on the GoFundMe page states: “We VfB fans are collecting money to pay for Lionel Messi's transfer. In the event that the planned amount is not reached on time or Lionel Messi joins another club, 100% of the money raised will be donated to Viva con Agua.”
Via Con Agua “is a non-profit organisation committed to ensuring that all people worldwide have access to clean drinking water”.
