Josep Maria Bartomeu is prepared to step down as Barcelona president if Lionel Messi withdraws his request to leave the club.

Various sources insist Messi's decision is firm, so they believe Bartomeu will not need to act out any pledge to quit. Bartomeu does not want to fast-track elections, currently scheduled for March, and would instead prefer to leave the club in the hands of the current board of directors.

Barcelona continues to maintain that Messi is not for sale and can't leave the club this summer.