Transfer Centre

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge rules out "absurd" Lionel Messi swoop

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 25 November 2013

Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge rules out the prospect of the club triggering Lionel Messi's reported £210m release clause at Barcelona.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has laughed off the prospect of the Bavarian giants making a shock swoop for Barcelona star Lionel Messi, describing the cost of such a transfer as "absurd".

Reports emanating from Spain recently had suggested that the Champions League winners were toying with the idea of activating the Argentine's reported £210 release clause at Camp Nou.

The German club broke their transfer record with the £31m capture of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao in 2012, but Rummenigge has refuted the notion that the club would be willing to obliterate the existing record with the acquisition of Messi.

Speaking to Sky90, the Bayern official said: "Messi? We are talking about figures here that are simply absurd, a transfer fee that is even higher than what we spent on Javi Martinez. We won't go there.

"Plus I know Sandro Rosell. Barcelona would never sell Messi. He is a saint at Barcelona and they will not sell him.

"And I think it would be in Messi's best interest to stay at Barcelona. He fits in perfectly there."

Messi, who is poised to be out of action until the New Year with a muscle injury, has hit eight goals in 11 Liga fixtures for the Catalan giants this season.