August 17 – Is Lionel Messi about to light up the English Premier League? Rumours are rife that Messi wants to leave Barcelona following last week’s 8-2 Champions league humiliation – and that Manchester City, themselves desperate hunting for exciting new players, could be his destination.
Messi has reportedly told Barcelona he wants to leave the club immediately in the wake of drubbing by Bayern Munich.
The publication Esporte Interativo says Messi feels ‘isolated’ and British reports suggest he may be en route to City to link up again with his previous manager at Barca, Pep Guardiola.
Only a few clubs in the world could afford Messi – reports suggest he has a buyout clause of £635 million – and City, still unable to win the Champions League, even under Guardiola, following their shock defeat by Lyon, could be at the front of the queue if the 32-year-old superstar decides to move on.
Barca have ended the season without the La Liga or Champions League trophy – and its largest defeat for 80 years. Messi has a contract until June 2021 but with their huge payroll and massive losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Barca may allow him to leave before the new season starts on September 12.
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