Manchester City reportedly already have an agreement on personal terms with Lionel Messi, following his decision to tell Barcelona he wants to leave this summer. The Argentine sent shockwaves around the world on Tuesday, when he informed Barca that he wanted out immediately.
Messi has grown tired of the club’s demise in recent seasons which has led to a series of embarrassing Champions League exits and a trophyless season last term.
It could be argued that this all started in the 2017/18 season, when Roma came back from 4-1 down to knock Barcelona out of Europe in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
While Barca were La Liga champions in 2018/19, they were on the end of arguably the greatest comeback in European history against Liverpool when the Reds fought back from 3-0 down in the two-legged tie to win 4-0.
Real Madrid soared to the title this time around before Bayern Munich beat Barca 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals.
JUST IN: Man United ‘contact Lionel Messi’s father’ over transfer after Barcelona exit burofax
That proved to be the final straw for Messi, who informed Barcelona by burofax that he wants to leave this summer.
Given that only a small group of clubs in world football can afford him, the operation is not easy.
Messi argues he withholds the right to leave the club for free following a clause in his contract.
Barcelona argue that it expired on June 10 while Messi believes it is active until August 31 due to the COVID-19 crisis, which saw the season extended.
Multiple reports have claimed that Guardiola has already been in touch with Messi’s entourage.
Some have even suggested that City have told Messi they will try to sign him.
Back in February before football was called to a halt due to the coronavirus, Guardiola shut down the idea of signing Messi and urged him to finish his career in Catalonia.
“He’s a player from Barcelona and he will stay there,” Guardiola said.
“That is my wish, [Messi] staying in Barcelona. I’m not going to talk about players from another club. I think he’s going to finish his career there, it’s my wish.”
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here