Lionel Messi: Roma demand Barcelona star as apology for Malcom late hijack

Lionel Messi is the only apology Roma will accept from Barcelona for hijacking Malcom.

Italian Serie A side AS Roma have stated that will not accept an apology from Barcelona for hijacking a deal for Brazilian forward Malcom except the La Liga giants offer superstar Lionel Messi.

21-year-old Malcom was linked with a move to Roma from French side Bordeaux after agreeing on a fee, but Barcelona swooped in to make a late proposal that eventually swayed his decision.

The deal for Malcom was only possible as he was yet to sign a contract with AS Roma before Barcelona swooped in.

A.S Roma stated that they are looking at possible legal actions towards Barcelona but the La Liga giants have apologized for the lateness of their contractual negotiations.

Ina recent development Roma president James Pallotta has revealed that Barcelona’s apology is not acceptable unless they offer Lionel Messi.

He said, "They knew that this was done, In point of fact yesterday they apologized to us about their actions and how they did things and I don't accept the apology, I mean, at all.

"The apology, the only way I'll accept it is either one of two things. I mean at the end of the day, send [Malcom] to us, and you know that's not going to happen.

"But maybe, as a goodwill gesture, at the very least they should send Messi to us."

Pallotta also stated that both Barcelona and Bordeaux may be called upon to give their account of the events as the deal for Malcom was already done according to his knowledge.

He stated that the even though the deal was not officially signed, the process requires a medical before officially signing of papers.

He said, "That handshake and the agreement is done. Other teams know not to come in and do what Barcelona did. Bordeaux should've never been doing what they did, that was completely -- I think it's illegal not to mention unethical and immoral."

"If you just look at all the stuff that happened, you know, the deal was done," Pallotta said. "And my view is Bordeaux, their actions, and we've already spoken to legal and you know I'm fairly certain that they're going to be testifying on this and that there will be some litigation."

Barcelona were knocked out of the 2017/18 Champions League by A.S Roma in the quarterfinal stage.

Messi is on break in Ibiza after the World Cup and will not be in action when both sides meet in the International Champions Cup fixture scheduled for Wednesday, August 1