Messi arrival could solve two more big problems
WITH the war with UEFA won, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was back to the calmer, genial tones that he is more associated with in his latest end-of-season address.
What little was mentioned of the Court of Arbitration for Sport victory last month was used to offer a public olive branch to UEFA, while given more prominence were topics like the club’s transfer strategy.
If the first part of the interview spoke of how City prepared well and far in advance, the second exposed two icebergs on the horizon – Sergio Aguero and Pep Guardiola are both out of contract next summer.
They would like both to stay and commit as soon as possible, but have to accept that the decisions are out of their hands.
Coincidentally, Aguero and Guardiola will be two of the biggest draws if and when Lionel Messi decides to choose his next club. City have considered themselves to be in a good place should the moment ever come when the best player in the world wanted another challenge, and as well as having the financial resources for his wages, they have trump cards in Aguero and Guardiola - one his close friend and international team-mate and the other the manager that knows him so well and oversaw his rise to become a superstar.
While their presence would work in City’s favour in any negotiations, Messi would be understandably wary about taking such a big decision only to see the two that he was closest to walk away after 12 months.
If the Argentine forward is going to move, he would surely want reassurances of stability.
Signing Messi would not be without its problems for all the good it will bring, but if his arrival in Manchester is enough to extend the stays of Aguero and Guardiola that would solve two of City’s biggest problems for them - or at least kick them down the road for another year.
As the Blues weigh up the value of a move, the guarantee of keeping hold of two of their biggest assets would be quite the sweetener to any deal.