If you’ve been following this summer’s transfer window, you’ve probably heard of Marcelo Bechler. He’s the Brazilian journalist who broke the news of Neymar’s transfer to Paris Saint Germain, and got worldwide recognition for it.
Bechler is still doing his job in Europe, and this weekend, he went against the most dramatic transfer news from the past few days.
As reported by the French press, Lionel Messi recently followed Manchester City on Instagram. The same outlet claimed Sheikh Mansour said he would make a historical signing this window.
This rumour got bigger when the Daily Record said there was a meeting between Manchester City and Lionel Messi’s representatives.
But Bechler claims to have different information, from a Manchester City source, who’s quoted as saying: “It’s fake. All fake. Including the club’s interest.”
He doesn’t mention the Daily Record’s report, and only goes against the story from Yahoo France.
The journalist points out four reasons why the news isn’t to be believed.
First, it’s fake that Sheikh Mansour claimed he would make the biggest signing ever in the next few days.
Second, Messi doesn’t have a €300m release clause, but a €250m one.
Third, Messi still didn’t sign his new contract with Barça, but is set to do so, raising his release clause to €300m; and finally, Manchester City currently have a negative balance of around €150m, and could find difficulties on FFP to sign Messi for €250m plus salary and bonuses.
Like he did with Neymar, Bechler claims that anything can happen in football and he doesn’t have any information regarding an ongoing negotiation. But these four points should be considered first.
