MANCHESTER CITY are convinced that the Etihad will be Lionel Messi’s only destination if he ever leaves Barcelona.
With Pep Guardiola, Messi’s friend and former Barcelona coach, taking over at City this summer, they believe they would be clear favourites to sign the 28-year-old Argentina star if he wants a new challenge.
The Guardian reports: “Ferran Soriano, City’s chief executive, and director of football Txiki Begiristain have known Messi and his family since the start of his career and would be key figures in any deal to bring the player to England.
“City believe Guardiola will give them a significant advantage in transfer negotiations for any Barcelona player, although there is no active interest despite speculation over a move for midfielder Sergio Busquets.”
Sorry City fans but this one’s nothing more than pie in the sky.
Messi may have played under Guardiola at Barcelona but why would he want to take a sizeable step down at this stage of his career?
He’s already got it all – playing for the best club in Europe with some of the world’s best players in a nice climate. Oh, and he’s not short of a euro or two, so money wouldn’t be a factor.
It makes no sense that he’d swap all that for a club that may yet be playing in the Europa League next season and who aren’t a patch on Barca – and all this in a notoriously cold and wet city.
Is there any chance of Messi joining City?
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