Manchester City to prioritize Erling Haaland over Barcelona forward Lionel Messi

Manchester City were jumping from excitement when the report of Lionel Messi wanting to leave Barcelona sent shockwaves to the world. The World’s best player, a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, a maestro seemed to now be within Man City’s reach.

Eventually, the Argentine ended up staying at Barcelona just because he didn’t want to take his beloved club to the court despite the betrayal from Josep Maria Bartomeu who challenged the burofax saying Messi’s clause of breaking the contract had expired. Ultimately, Bartomeu’s world came crashing down as he had to resign which eventually saw Joan Laporta become the new President.

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As for Manchester City, the English club still seemed hopeful of landing the Argentine in summer 2021 when his contract expires with the Blaugrana, reuniting Pep Guardiola with the diminutive magician. The duo together could have had another crack at winning the Champions League, a trophy that has eluded Messi and Guardiola for too long. This also falls in line with City’s ultimate goal, of being crowned as the European Champions.

However, things have changed since the appointment of Laporta. The president has made it publicly clear that he is going to do everything in his power to convince Messi to stay at the club. At this point, Messi is not chasing extravagant contracts but wants a sporting project that makes Barcelona competent enough to go deep in the Champions League and win silverware every season.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is no longer top transfer priority for Manchester City

Manchester City have changed their transfer priority. According to The Mirror, Manchester City will prioritize signing Erling Haaland over Messi. Interestingly, Haaland remains a top target for Barca as well and the two heavyweights could go on a war for the Norwegian goal machine.

Man City want to bring Haaland to Manchester as a direct successor to Sergio Aguero who is set to leave the Cityzens after 10 glorious and trophy-laden years. Guardiola has been sceptical about Dortmund’s 150 million valuation. City will neither be surrendering to the outrageous demands of Mino Raiola to offer 705k euros a week for his client.

Instead, Manchester City have another plan to bring down the Haaland valuation. Dortmund and Man City have an amicable business relationship as Jadon Sancho moved from City to BVB for 9.4 million euros in 2017. The Englishman has been nothing short of a sensation and his sale could generate a huge amount for the Bundesliga side.

City had smartly inserted a 15% sell-on clause which they are ready to waive to bring down the Haaland valuation. However, the chiefs at the Premier League club believe that BVB will still have to soften their asking price considering the current global economic scenario.

Nonetheless, this means Manchester City are set to put all their resources and efforts in signing Haaland instead of Messi. The Argentine is no longer top transfer priority which will bode well with the Blaugrana fans.

Will Lionel Messi sign a new deal with the Catalans?