Premier League 2020-21 : Is Manchester City gunning for Lionel Messi ?
Manchester City are reportedly busy trying to figure out if they can afford to sign Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.
According to ESPN,Pep Guardiola’s side are “crunching the numbers” to see if there’s any chance they can land the Argentine without breaking FFP rules.
Obviously City have a bit of previous when it comes to FFP but are still “seriously looking into the costs” of landing Messi.
The report doesn’t mention how much Messi might cost and reckon Barca aren’t willing to name a price yet. They want to see if “his desire to leave disappears or if he takes it public.”
The 33-year-old hasn’t said a word publicly said Barcelona’s Champions League thrashing by Bayern but is said to be angry and considering his future.
Messi is still on holiday, along with the rest of the first team.
Football Business : To buy Messi, Clubs have to shell out £631Mn claims a report
Barcelona is reportedly insisting that any club wanting to buy Lionel Messi before the end of his contract will have to pay his full £631million release clause.
Such clauses are commonplace in Spanish football in order for clubs to protect their assets, and Barca are said to be sticking to Messi’s contractual obligations as they bid to placate the Argentinean, who has one year left on his deal.
Mundo Deportivo report that Barca have no intention of allowing their captain to leave the club this summer for anything less than is stipulated in his contract, with Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan all linked with the 33-year-old.
Suggestions that Messi remains angry with Barca were rife at the weekend, when it was claimed that the forward was ‘furious’ with the club after details emerged of his meeting with new manager Ronald Koeman, who was appointed last week.
“I don’t know if I have to convince Messi (to stay), whether it’s that or not. He is the best player in the world and the best player in the world you want in your team, you don’t want him playing against you. As a coach I would love to work with Messi because he wins matches. If he’s at the ability and level he has always shown I’d be more than happy for him to stay.”
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