Former Barca president reveals Inter Milan offered €250m for Lionel Messi back in 2006.
Joan Laporta who served as the Barca president from 2003 to 2010 said that he could be able to convince Messi to stay at Camp Nou because of their special relationship.
Laporta also revealed that Inter Milan apparently offered €250m to sign the Argentina international back in 2006.
“Messi wanted to leave because he was very disappointed with how [the previous board] treated him,” Laporta said in a news conference on Monday.
“If there had been elections earlier, maybe we would not be in this situation.
“But Messi loves Barca and I know that he will give us the chance to have a conversation to help him decide the best for him and for Barca — although we’ve not spoken yet.
“I know he has offers from other clubs, but he always has. [Former Inter owner Massimo] Moratti wanted to pay €250m for him in 2006 and I said no.
“Messi and his family are happy here, in Catalonia, they like the life they have in Barcelona, in Castelldefels. It’s not a question of money, we just have to be up to scratch as a club.
“The best thing for him is to wait and see who wins the elections and what they propose. I think Messi, with a good proposal, would choose Barca.
“He knows me, he knows us, how we work, how we treat the players. If there’s one thing I am proud of, it’s always keeping my word, which he knows from working together before.”
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