City on alert as Barca icon drops a bombshell: I’M OFF
CITY PUT ON ALERT AS LEO NOW LOOKS TO QUIT
LIONEL MESSI has dropped a huge bombshell by telling Barcelona he wants to quit. Messi, 33, sent a legal document by fax yesterday afternoon, telling the club’s hierarchy of his intentions after two decades at the Nou Camp. Barcelona confirmed the Argentine has asked to leave, with Messi referencing a clause allowing him to leave for nothing at the end of the season. But
PEP GUARDIOLA has always held firmly to the line, when quizzed about Lionel Messi, that he hopes the superstar finishes his career with Barcelona.
When asked whether he might like to sign him, he has always used it as a smothering tactic.
But the news signalled yesterday – that the playmaker is ready to quit the Nou Camp – leaves that tactic redundant and the City boss with new questions to answer.
There will be turmoil in Guardiola’s head and heart as to the best way to go.
Money is no object and there would undoubtedly be a perverse pleasure for some at the Etihad in splashing the cash, following a summer battling UEFA in court over their finances.
And Guardiola would relish the chance to work with Messi in one final season as he seeks to finally land the Champions League.
But there is a question as to whether the 33-year-old is the right choice for City.
Would the baggage Messi brings outweigh the benefit?
Is a player who has fought publicly with his manager this season and a player who was part of a side beaten 8-2 by Champions League winners Bayern Munich not part of the problem himself? The
FROM BACK PAGE the club claim the deadline for triggering that clause expired in June and are seeking legal advice.
The incredible development is certain to put Europe’s top clubs on red alert, with Manchester City and Manchester United both having the
Argentinian will have no shortage of suitors, with PSG, Inter Milan and America’s MLS ready to call right now. But if it is to be the Premier League – and Messi wants to prove it was Barca and not him who has been the fading force this season – there seems to be only one possible destination. And it is alongside Guardiola (left) in his home from home in the North West. But there would be complications.
If City step in, what would it do for Phil Foden’s progress – perhaps the most exciting young English talent playing in the top flight right now? finance to make a move for the Argentina superstar, who is on £500,000 a week.
Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter Milan could also be interested in Messi, who only has one year left on his current deal.
Spanish radio were reporting
Would Messi be happy sitting on the bench and rotating?
What would it do for City’s wage structure?
What might it do for the growing leadership of Kevin De Bruyne?
Also, Messi does not fit with any of the previous signings during Guardiola’s time at City, with players aged 20-25 who are still on the way up.
Perhaps the City boss reasons another Champions League failure requires a rethink on such policy.
Clearly, this is a decision that lies not solely with Guardiola, but with Messi.
And it could be one to define the former’s City legacy, so he has to get it right. that Messi will refuse to return to training next week and it could end in a very bitter exit.
Messi is understood to have been left furious when details of crisis talks between him and new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman (left) were made public.
Betfair odds: 6-4 Man City, 3 Inter Milan, PSG, 4 Juventus, 13-2 Man Utd, 12 Any MLS Club, 14 Liverpool, 20 Leeds, 25 Any Argentinian Club, 35 Bayern Munich, 50 Chelsea, 100 Lazio, Newcastle, 125-1 Napoli, 150 Real Madrid.