Revealed: Barcelona president could face jail terms if Messi is sold or allowed to leave

Josep Maria Bartomeu doesn't want to sell Leo Messi for both sporting and financial reasons, BBC's Guillem Balague reports.

Barcelona is expected to register a big budget deficit at the end of the current board's tenure and if the Argentine is gone, it will only get bigger.

When a new president eventually takes over, he could file an Action of Social Responsibility against Bartomeu.

In this case, the current president would have to cover the deficit from his own pocket; if he doesn't have the money, he would have to go to jail.

It is expected that Bartomeu will meet with Messi's father and agent Jorge on Wednesday, September 2 to discuss the player's future.

Leo wants to agree a friendly exit while the official intends to offer him a new two-year deal which would also allow the 33-year-old to leave for free next summer.