Just a few days ago, reports emerged that Manchester United had given up on their hopes of signing Barcelona superstar Leonel Messi. After reports claimed that the Argentine was not willing to sign a contract extension with the Spanish giants, he was linked with United and Manchester City. However, a source from United revealed that the City would be the favourites to land the striker if he decides to quit Camp Nou.
The source told The Sun: “City would be the favourites if he were to one day leave, but we would obviously love to sign a player of that level.
“We can certainly compete on the cash front and Messi is an Adidas player like Paul Pogba, so we have our pluses.
“But all the same, we would not get involved in any bidding war unless Messi’s camp gave an indication that he was willing to come here.”
Well, it seems that the Red Devils are not ready to give up so easily on the Barca star and have plotted a master plan to secure his signings. The Old Trafford outfit is taking advantage of their relation with Adidas, which has sponsored Messi for over 13 years, in their audacious pursuit of the Argentina international.
Spanish news outlet, Marketing Deportivo has reported the sports apparel company, which is paying £75 million a season to sponsor United, is worried that United’s recent poor seasons can harm their brand and are ready to help the English outfit to sign Messi.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s current contract at Nou Camp expires after the end of the 2017-18 season while his buyout clause is a massive £215m. With the price for signing the Barcelona star really huge, United and Adidas are all set to pay the striker £85m to not pen down a new deal. And if they succeed, they will have to pay only £42m to land the player at Old Trafford.
However, it would not be that easy as the report claimed that City are also planning an audacious bid for Messi. They are willing to put a £195.6) package together to sign the player. Moreover, Messi’s relation with City boss Pep Guardiola might give City the edge.