JUST-IN: Lionel Messi ‘will report to Barca training on Monday’

Lionel Messi will report to Barcelona training on Monday August 31, despite making public his intention to leave the Spanish giants, reports claim.

According to the UK Sun report, the Argentine shocked the football world on Tuesday, August 25 by confirming that he will try and leave the club this summer.

And he believes he can go for free, by exercising a clause in his contract to do so.

But ahead of the inevitable legal battle with Barcelona, the 33-year-old’s representatives have advised him against doing anything that could give his club any extra ammunition in the court room.

So according to TyC Sports, Messi will turn up when Barca return to pre-season training on Monday – despite previous indications that he wouldn’t.

And new boss Ronald Koeman, whose disastrous first meeting with his captain precipitated the transfer request, will have a big decision to make regarding the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The Dutchman will decide whether to allow him to train with the rest of the first-team squad – or to have him work separately.

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Koeman, 57, faces a fine line between indulging a potentially disruptive presence and possibly alienating even more of his squad.

Messi is reportedly being chased by the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter Milan as the race for his signature hots up.