If the deal is off, then so what? Was never convinced by it in the first place and secondly whether it happens or not now, it ain't going to effect the outcome of this season now anyway (unless we were advanced enough money and signed Messi on an emergency loan).
As a major Madejski critic of recent years, IF we go up, then his bargaining position is greatly enhanced. Enter Branson or Simon Fuller et al etc (

Never trusted them ruskys.