Lionel Messi has been linked with top European clubs non-stop since he communicated to Barcelona his desire to leave the club.
Sport reported on Tuesday the La Liga side believe Manchester United have contacted the Argentine’s entourage. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also included in the list of suitors.
AS now state it won’t be easy for any club to take the forward away from the Camp Nou.
That’s because the cost of the operation will be high (Barca are referring to his €700m release clause), and the club that’s willing to sign him must balance their finances so they don’t breach UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.
UEFA had earlier challenged City and PSG economic breaches, and AS are of the belief the two clubs may find it difficult to ‘dodge’ it, if they add the cost of signing Messi to their budget.
Keeping this mind, AS explain Manchester United seems to the club that has a ‘real option’ to sign the South American because the overall cost would be ‘more viable’ for them than others.
AS add United have an ‘exciting project with young people’, led by a ‘sensible guy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’.
Over at Marca, there isn’t same enthusiasm as AS when discussing United as an option.
They state the ‘historical club’ is ‘now in decline’, and United have had minimal presence in Europe [most likely the Champions League] over the last few years. In addition to this, the English side have failed to mount a title challenge since 2013.
Messi doesn’t have any close friends at United in either the squad or their coaching staff, and Marca add this is a ‘fundamental factor’ for the player.
AS’ report explains United’s financial power makes them as a ‘real option’ to sign Messi. Marca, on the other hand, downplay the same option due to the Red Devils’ lack of major sporting achievements in recent years.
