Bayern Munich will not be rivalling Manchester City and Inter for Lionel Messi as the German champions insists they cannot afford him.
Barcelona captain Messi, 33, appears set to leave the Blaugrana after 19 years with the club following his decision to inform them on Tuesday of his desire to depart.
He is said to have a clause in his contract that allows him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, and although it was required to be activated before June, he still intends to make use of it as the season was extended into August due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ever since the news of his decision broke on Tuesday, claims and speculation has swirled about where he might end up – though it is unlikely he will go anywhere outside the small group of elite superclubs.
As such, Manchester City, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain have been mooted as his likeliest options, and although European champions Bayern – who beat Barca 8-2 in what could be Messi's final game for the club – would be considered among the elite, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has set the record straight about any links to them.
