Laporta: Messi will never leave Barca but Neymar might

Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, according to former president Joan Laporta, who believes Manchester United target Neymar might be sold.

Messi - sidelined with a knee injury - has been linked with a move to the Premier League after a tax case in Spain.

Team-mate Neymar has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and when asked about the pair's future, Laporta raised concern that the Brazilian may have to leave in order to balance the books.

"Messi will never leave Barca. It is part of our emblem and our heart," Laporta said.

"I received many proposals when I was president. Notably Inter, who wanted to pay his release clause but I always refused.

"For Neymar, it's different. The economic situation of the club is not good, but the current president, to balance the books must sell players or assets. And the best solution is to sell a great player.

"There is talk of a proposal for Man United. But all that, it is because of the mismanagement of the current leadership."