Manchester City’s chief operating officer has confirmed that the club will once again attempt to sign Lionel Messi of Barcelona
It seemed like Lionel Messi was set to leave Barcelona this summer transfer market for Manchester City. However, the 33-year-old could not complete his switch to the Premier League due to his hefty release clause that the Catalan board stood by.
More from Everything Barca
- FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid
Although there was interest from Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, it was Manchester City who was favourites to sign the Argentinian forward as he shares a close relationship with Pep Guardiola. However, after several failed attempts to convince the Catalan board to sell Lionel Messi, the Sky Blues would have to wait until next summer to sign their wanted man.
The 33-year-old’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2021 and has no plans of renewing terms as that was made clear by his actions a few months ago. Messi stated in an interview with GOAL that he wanted the move as he believed that his time at the club was over, however, it was Josep Maria Bartomeu that prevented him to leave due to the release clause.
It has now been reported by GOAL, that Manchester City’s chief operating officer has officially confirmed that the Premier League club has kept the financial resources ready to sign Lionel Messi in 2021.
The captain of Barca will be given the green light to negotiate a deal with Manchester City or any other interested club from January 2021 as he will enter the final six months of his contract. The statement made by the Manchester City official indicates the strong likelihood that the Sky Blues will snatch up Leo Messi next summer as a free agent.
If Leo Messi does leave for the Etihad Stadium next season, then who should Barca sign to replace the forward?