Barcelona ace Lionel Messi could be on the move this summer after realising that his long-time club is only going downwards amid recent issues.
Barcelona and Lionel Messi’s relationship seems to be deteriorating with every season. The Argentina international has endlessly served the club but his requests in terms of signings are apparently never fulfilled despite him practically carrying Barca for all this while. Lately, Messi has been fuming at the board for not landing another goal-scorer.
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Luis Suarez’s injury means that Lionel Messi is the only lethal and regular scorer that the Blaugrana have with three competitions to play in, whereas Antoine Griezmann is struggling in the role of a winger. Messi had requested that Rodrigo from Valencia, or some short-term solution be signed in January, but the club made no effort to do so.
Ernesto Valverde was fired in January, but the performances under Quique Setien have gone on to show that the problem lies within the team and board, instead of the dugout. Messi reached his boiling point a few days back when he publicly confronted Eric Abidal, who claimed that the Barca players were not working hard enough under their previous boss.
Diario GOL has reported that amid all this crisis and chaos, Messi has been realistically contemplating a possible departure from Barcelona. The club’s captain sees his current side as an outfit undergoing massive downfall, plus, he does not intend to spend the final years of his career at a club where he is the sole carrier despite spending millions every year.
Manchester City are thought to be interested in the Argentina international’s services and Pep Guardiola has always said that Lionel Messi is the best player he has ever coached. The Citizens have majorly struggled in the Premier League against Liverpool, so a signing like Messi could help them back to where they want to be next year.
A signing bonus of 50 million euros has been offered according to reports to the Barca ace. Interestingly, the Premier League giants would not need to pay a single penny in transfer fees as Messi’s contract allows him to leave the Camp Nou for free at the end of every season. Given that he confessed to thinking of an exit in 2014, Messi may do it now.
Do you think Lionel Messi will leave the club at the end of this season?