LaLiga have released a surprise statement on the transfer saga involving Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona.

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Messi's future has been in the headlines all week after he informed Barcelona he wants to leave in the current transfer window.

While the Catalan giants are reportedly not prepared to let their talisman leave, he has been linked with a few-high profile clubs.

The Spanish league have now thrown their support behind Barcelona by claiming that Argentine will not be allowed to leave for free.

Full statement:

"In relation to the different interpretations (some of them contradictory to each other) published in recent days in different media, related to the contractual situation of the player Lionel Andrés Messi with FC Barcelona, LaLiga wishes to clarify that with regards to the player's contract with his club:

"The contract is currently in force and has a "termination clause" applicable to the event that Lionel Andrés Messi decides to activate the early unilateral termination of the contract, carried out in accordance with article 16 of Royal Decree 1006/1985, of June 26, which regulates the special employment relationship of professional athletes.

"In compliance with the applicable regulations, and following the corresponding procedure in these cases, LaLiga will not carry out the prior visa process for the player to be removed from the federation if they have not previously paid the amount of said clause."

Click through the gallery below to see the highest buyout clauses in football:

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