Lionel Messi’s decision to leave Barcelona made headlines all over the world on Tuesday.
Sport reported on Tuesday that Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain had already made contact for the player.
Messi lived his best years under Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have been linked repeatedly in recent years.
Journalist Marcelo Bechler was the first to report the Argentine’s desire to change clubs this summer. He’s now brought a fresh update stating the 33-year-old has set sights on joining Manchester City. This is also echoed in the Catalan media today.
Wednesday’s edition of Sport explains the Citizens have ‘strongly entered’ the bidding war for Messi, after knowing his desire to leave the La Liga giants. It’s claimed City are studying the finances needed to complete his signing.
Messi, who has a €700m release clause, is non-transferable for Barca. The newspaper states his exit could be complicated if the club maintains this stance.
It’s claimed the forward came close to ending his adventure in Barcelona three years ago, and was ‘very clear’ about joining Guardiola at City. The move didn’t materialise then, and he continued with the Spanish giants.
He’s now decided to leave the Blaugrana this summer, and the report adds City once again appear the ‘most feasible destination’.
Mundo also relay claims made by the Catalunya Ràdio, who explained Messi called Guardiola last week to find out about the possibility of joining his club.
For City to sign Messi, they need to analyse and understand the economic conditions of the operation, keeping in mind UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Mundo add MLS is the ‘most exotic option’, and a move to the US shouldn’t be ruled out.
