Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, will he?
Every transfer window it seems a Premier League side is linked with the Argentinian, but to no avail. After all, with Neymar and Luis Suarez by his side in attack, Messi has things pretty good at the Nou Camp.
However, next summer may finally see the 29-year-old plucked from his Catalonian residence with whispers of a world-record transfer fee. Strap yourselves in Manchester City fans.
As per the Mirror, Messi may finally be making a move to the Premier League or, at the very least, City are going to try their utmost to make it happen.
It may have previously been the stuff of dreams, but the money on the table may just make the transfer more realistic than it initially sounds.
The Etihad Stadium hierarchy are believed to be weighing up a monumental summer bid of £200 million for Barcelona’s star man. Furthermore, the club could be set to fork out a basic wage of £500,000-a-week no less.
Such rumours have been greatly augmented by the recent arrival of Pep Guardiola. After all, arguably Messi’s greatest ever seasons came under the Spaniard with the pair working together between 2008 and 2011.
Therefore, the 29-year-old may be tempted by a reunion and a potential shot at achieving such lucrative success elsewhere. In addition, City see this as putting them in pole position for any such move.
There may even be an incentive for Messi to leave Barca, believe it or not. The same publication has reported that the Argentinian has failed to be convinced to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Consequently, City could scoop the mercurial forward in 2018 at the latest, when his current deal expires. Besides, his contemporary buy-out clause sits at an astronomical £215 million.
It all sounds well and good doesn’t it, but what are the chances such a deal will actually go through?
Messi has been linked with a move to Chelsea in the past and even the once lucratively funded Anzhi Makhachkala were believed to be interested in 2011.
Of all the rumours though, this appears the best chance of Messi gracing English shores for his domestic football.
The Guardiola link, the timing in his career and the money at City’s disposal makes is as good of a shout as any. Whether it would ever take place is unknown, but City fans would be unwise to categorically dismiss it.