[ad_1]
Publication date: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 3:49 AM
A source close to Lionel Messi has reportedly admitted surprise at reports claiming Manchester City are close to completing the impressive signing of the Barcelona legend.
The City Football group is said to have agreed to a five-year contract with Messi valued at 700 million euros, which will allow him to play for City for three seasons before ending his MLS career with New York City.
Jorge Messi, Lionel’s agent and father, is currently in talks with Barcelona as he tries to negotiate his departure from the Camp Nou.
READ MORE: Goodbye Lionel: Ranking of Messi’s Possible Transfer Destinations
The Messis argue that Barcelona should allow the 33-year-old to leave as stipulated in his contract.
The club does not agree as Messi’s decision was made in August due to the extension of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A source said The athletic that a proposed move to Manchester City has come as a shock considering that the relationship between Messi and Pep Guardiola began to deteriorate before the departure of the Spanish coach from Catalonia.
In addition, the source claimed that Messi was delighted with “historic English clubs like Manchester United”, and even spoke of moving to London with his former teammate Cesc Fabregas.
“I always had the feeling that I wanted an experience abroad,” added the source. “Even more surprising than City is that he would work with Pep again.
“The relationship after so many intense seasons at Barcelona with Guardiola was not the best with the players.
“This was not Leo in particular. Leo and Pep had no direct problems but last season was not the best and the relationship between players and coach became very tired.
“Go and look at the players that Guardiola has signed at Bayern and City. You won’t find many who trained at Barça.
“The relationship between Guardiola and the players broke down in the end. However, time heals. Messi is not stupid.
“He knows his best moment was with Guardiola on the bench, so maybe he thinks he needs this guy to get the best of him.”
[ad_2]
