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Manchester City are set to revive their interest in Lionel Messi ahead of schedule by making a January transfer for the Barcelona icon.
City had sought to pounce on the Argentine superstar this summer when he tried to force his exit, but were turned away when Barcelona blocked his exit by insisting on demanding that his astronomical £ 625 million release clause be honored.
However, according to The Sun, the Premier League team is considering making an offer to sign Messi mid-season for a fee rather than waiting until he becomes a free agent next summer.
They report that a bid of possibly less than 50 million pounds may be attractive enough for Spanish giants who are resigned to losing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in just over seven months. Barça is currently fighting a debt of 440 million pounds.
Messi has scored six goals in 10 appearances for the Camp Nou team this season, but he still maintains a cold relationship with the management and new coach Ronald Koeman.
Although it would hugely hurt its goals on the field, Barcelona is in serious financial trouble and has been trying to cut its wage spending by £ 171 million in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Messi is currently the top earner at the club, with the Argentine superstar pocketing around £ 500,000 per week (£ 26 million per year).
Players’ salaries accounted for around 61 per cent of the club’s £ 940 million revenue before the coronavirus pandemic set in. But since earnings fell to £ 746 million, wages have become more than 80 per cent of total earnings if no changes are made.
The acquisition of the 33-year-old would also be a boost for City manager Pep Guardiola, who has yet to reach an agreement at the club beyond the end of the season. It would also show the intentions of the Etihad team towards the Spaniard who is in his fifth campaign in command there.
The agreement also attracts City, as Messi would be eligible for the knockout stages of the Champions League, should he qualify, despite having already played in the competition this season with Barcelona.
A move to the club would see Messi reunite with former Barcelona manager Guardiola, but also Argentina’s attacking partner Sergio Agüero.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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