Lionel Messi: 'He cannot leave for free' - Former Barcelona president Gaspart declares- Lionel Messi's sensational announcement about leaving Barcelona has generated lots of reactions - Former Barca President Joan Gaspart has stated that the club captain should not be allowed to leave Camp Nou - Gaspart also insisted that the 33-year-old should not be let go for anything less than €700million PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! Lionel Messi cannot leave Barcelona on a free transfer, according to former club President Joan Gaspart. The Argentine superstar caught the world unawares when he told La Blaugrana its time for him to leave the club. But Gaspart who was president of Barca between 2000 and 2003 has stated that he would prefer Messi to leave next season for free than to go for less than €700million. Messi contract with Barca will end in the summer of 2021 and it is understood there is a clause in his contract that will allow him to go for free this summer. Read also Ronaldo Delima tops list of highest goalscorers at 21 for club and country (see where Messi and Ronaldo are) "[Messi] cannot leave. He will have to leave in 2021. "I have seen the contract and it is very clear. The clause ended in June and there is no going back. "I prefer him to leave next year for zero than to go now for less than €700 million. "The club is in charge here, not the player. The club paid the players. And this is not a matter of money, there is a signed contract and that's it," Gaspart told Spanish news media outlet Marca. Messi has been linked with several top European clubs but a reunion with former manager Pep Guardiola at Man City has been mooted. PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone' Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Carles Puyol has thrown his weight behind his former teammate Lionel Messi after the Barcelona captain finally opened he wanted to leave the Camp Nou. Read also Jose Mourinho makes stunning statement about Lampard after win against Wolves The Barca legend played with the Argentine in the early years of his career and they won trophies during their short stints with the club together. And the World Cup winner took to his social media handle to show approval to Messi's intentions of ending his long romance with La Blaugrana. Legit.ng also reported that Barcelona have been dealt a major problem after Lionel Messi reportedly informed the club he wants to leave this summer. Messi reportedly made up his mind to walk away from the club which he made his home for 15 years after talks with new boss Ronald Koeman. Reports from tycsports.com indicate that the 33-year old Argentine maestro made his intentions to leave Barca known via a bureaufax message. How we mistakenly celebrated Yakubu’s miss at 2010 World Cup – Brown Ideye | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Lionel Messi's sensational announcement about leaving Barcelona has generated lots of reactions - Former Barca President Joan Gaspart has stated that the club captain should not be allowed to leave Camp Nou - Gaspart also insisted that the 33-year-old should not be let go for anything less than €700million PAY ATTENTION: PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Legit.ng How we mistakenly celebrated Yakubu’s miss at 2010 World Cup – Brown Ideye