Barcelona are preparing for life without Lionel Messi, says club president published: 07 Feb 2019 views: 4 Barcelona are preparing for life without Lionel Messi, says club president. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says that the club\’s recent transfer activity has been with the retirement of Lionel Messi in mind. Last month the Catalan club agreed a £65million deal to sign 21-year-old Ajax midfielder Frenkie De Jong for next season, as well as teenage defender Jean-Clair Todibo who was added to the squad immediately. Brazilian duo Arthur (22) and Malcom (21) were also signed in the summer, and Bartomeu says their additions have come as part of a concerted effort to prepare the squad for the day that Messi decides to walk away from the club. The Argentinean – who was named on the bench for Wednesday\’s 1-1 Copa Del Rey draw with Real Madrid – still has two years left on the contract he signed in 2017, and Bartomeu – who is stepping down as club president in 2021 – reassured fans that his retirement is still \”a while away yet\”. But, speaking to journalist Guillem Balague on BBC Radio Five Live\’s Football Daily Podcast , Bartomeu said the…