Manchester United have emerged as potential suitors for Lionel Messi following his sudden release from Barcelona. However, with the Argentina international’s wage demands astronomical, the Glazers could be tempted to abandon the chase. And, in Amad, the Red Devils already have a player who has been compared to the Argentina international.
Ian McGarry, speaking on Reach PLC’s Transfer Window podcast, claimed United were in the hunt for Messi.
He said: “Paris Saint-Germain are in pole position with regards to securing Messi’s signature and are offering him a contract of around £63.5m (€75m) gross over two years, and then allowing him to leave for free.
“As we know, he has an ambition to play Major League Soccer in America and that would be something he would obviously be attracted to.
“However, Manchester United are also putting themselves in the frame.
“They don’t believe right now that they are as strong a candidate as PSG with regards to the player’s signature.
“However, terms have been spoken about with Messi’s representatives with regards to a contract, which would reach to around £42m (€50m) gross in terms of salary.
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“And obviously there would be agent’s fees to his father Jorge as well as the signing-on fee and salary, which will be regarded in terms of Messi’s obvious worth and value in world football but also of course the commercial value of having Messi on your team can generate.
“I wonder if Manchester United might actually be a credible and more effective challenge for Leo Messi the player, rather than it being about the money.”
However, any deal for Messi would be complicated.
The Barcelona icon wants big money from whoever he joins next and, given how United have regretted allocating huge money over the years on marquee signings who disappointed, any move to Old Trafford would be complicated.
And, in Amad, United already have a player who has drawn comparisons with the Barcelona star.
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It’s been a positive first year in England for the Ivory Coast international, who has caught the eye with some enterprising displays.
He was sublime in last season’s Europa League clash with AC Milan, scoring a fine header in the first leg at Old Trafford.
And Amad impressed against Wolves on the final day of last season, too, as the Red Devils won at Molineux.
It was former team-mate Papu Gomez who talked up the forward’s talents, comparing him to Messi in an interview last year.
“He’s a future star, trust me. During our training, he seems like [Lionel] Messi!” he said.
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“You can’t stop him.”
United have high hopes for Amad, with Solskjaer also talking up the forward earlier in the season.
“He’s still a young lad, he’s 18 but of course we see top, top potential in him,” he said.
“He’s a very good lad, very likeable, he works hard. Of course he needs to adapt to a new country, a new language.
“He doesn’t speak English well enough still to feel confident enough to engage in the conversations – but that’s coming, he’s learning.
“We believe he has the attributes mentally, technically and physically to be a top player for us.”
If United were to sign Messi, they’d potentially stunt Amad’s ability to live up to the comparisons with the Barcelona icon.
So if they choose to focus on the player they currently possess, rather than one they don’t, it would save the Glazers millions on wages.
United already have Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Amad and Daniel James capable of playing on the right wing.
And signing Messi, tempting though it may be, could be an opportunity better off swerved instead.