Lionel Messi could be on his way to Manchester City at the end of this season after refusing to sign a contract extension at Barcelona.
The Argentine attacker is reportedly unhappy at the Nou Camp and could reunite with former Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium. According to bookmakers and pundits, the online sports betting of him moving to England is 6/4.
The five-time World Footballer of the Year will see out his current contract which expires at the end of next season and has a rejected a contract extension. The £215 million buy-out clause in his contract seems not to be realistic again as the club risk losing him for nothing.
Messi contract situation at the Catalans has put Man City on red alert and are planning a stunning financial package to lure the prodigy to Etihad. Barca president Josep Bartomeu and coach Lius Enrique are still confident their star player will remain at the club beyond 2018 but the entrance of Guardiola into the picture has raised more fears at the Nou Camp.
The 29-year-old was reported to have made the decision in mid-July while on holidays and could make good of his threat to quit the Spanish club. Years back it would have been difficult to envisage such but happenings that have made the Barca player unhappy could have led to the decision.
Tax evasion allegations faced in Spain and a suspended 21-month prison sentence for him and his father are reportedly parts of the reasons for his unhappiness. Also Barca stalling over offering him a contract in excess of £365,000 a week being earned by Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and reports of a strained relationship between him and boss Lius Enrique, all these summed up could be the reasons for his decision to quit his boyhood club.
Chelsea, French club PSG and Chinese clubs are all interested in him but Man City have a clear chance of landing him with Pep Guardiola at Etihad with whom he enjoyed a frosty relationship during their time together at the Nou Camp. The Spaniard boss gave him the opportunity to shine turning him into world class player.
Coupled with the fact that City has the financial might to secure his signature. City are preparing a package in the region of £200 million - £500,000 a week basic salary and extensive bonuses and the club hierarchy are confident of getting him.
Not only Guardiola could tempt Messi to switch to Etihad the Argentina skipper is also friendly City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Bergiristian as well as national team mates Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi.
Messi joined Barcelona aged 13 who played a crucial role in his development as a player. He has won eight La Liga titles and four Champion League trophies as well as many individual honours.
Should this materialize, Barca fans will be devastated with the departure of their idol. Suarez and Neymar will be left to fill in the void created.
onel Messi could be on his way to Manchester City at the end of this season after refusing to sign a contract extension at Barcelona. The Argentine attacker is reportedly unhappy at the Nou Camp and could reunite with former Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium. According to bookmakers and pundits, the online sports betting of him moving to England is 6/4.
The five-time World Footballer of the Year will see out his current contract which expires at the end of next season and has a rejected a contract extension. The £215 million buy-out clause in his contract seems not to be realistic again as the club risk losing him for nothing.
Messi contract situation at the Catalans has put Man City on red alert and are planning a stunning financial package to lure the prodigy to Etihad. Barca president Josep Bartomeu and coach Lius Enrique are still confident their star player will remain at the club beyond 2018 but the entrance of Guardiola into the picture has raised more fears at the Nou Camp.
The 29-year-old was reported to have made the decision in mid-July while on holidays and could make good of his threat to quit the Spanish club. Years back it would have been difficult to envisage such but happenings that have made the Barca player unhappy could have led to the decision.
Tax evasion allegations faced in Spain and a suspended 21-month prison sentence for him and his father are reportedly parts of the reasons for his unhappiness. Also Barca stalling over offering him a contract in excess of £365,000 a week being earned by Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and reports of a strained relationship between him and boss Lius Enrique, all these summed up could be the reasons for his decision to quit his boyhood club.
Chelsea, French club PSG and Chinese clubs are all interested in him but Man City have a clear chance of landing him with Pep Guardiola at Etihad with whom he enjoyed a frosty relationship during their time together at the Nou Camp. The Spaniard boss gave him the opportunity to shine turning him into world class player.
Coupled with the fact that City has the financial might to secure his signature. City are preparing a package in the region of £200 million - £500,000 a week basic salary and extensive bonuses and the club hierarchy are confident of getting him.
Not only Guardiola could tempt Messi to switch to Etihad the Argentina skipper is also friendly City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Bergiristian as well as national team mates Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi.
Messi joined Barcelona aged 13 who played a crucial role in his development as a player. He has won eight La Liga titles and four Champion League trophies as well as many individual honours.
Should this materialize, Barca fans will be devastated with the departure of their idol. Suarez and Neymar will be left to fill in the void created.
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