Manchester City are considering signing Lionel Messi on a free transfer next summer.
The Argentine superstar was heavily linked with a switch to the Etihad in August, when he expressed his desire to leave Barcelona. In the end he was forced to stay when it became clear that anybody willing to buy him would have to meet his £635 million release clause, but it was very much against his will, and his feud with the club’s President Josep Maria Bartomeu continues unabated.
It seems highly unlikely he will want to continue at the Nou Camp, which means he will be available on a free transfer but will not be cheap.
He is the highest paid player in the world, and any club wanting to acquire his services will need deep pockets. City though is one that could afford him, and although he does not fi r their usual profile of player, they are prepared to make an exception in his case.
Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada has said “he’s the best player in the world, he’s the best player of his generation. I think any club in the world would like to explore the possibility of him joining their team.”
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.