Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola want to renew their partnership at Man City, Sky Sports News has been told
Friday 28 August 2020 16:34, UK
Manchester City are in the strongest position to sign Lionel Messi – if the Argentina star can get out of Barcelona this summer.
Sky Sports News has been told that both Messi and City boss Pep Guardiola want to renew their partnership at the Etihad - putting the Premier League runners-up in a commanding lead over other suitors.
Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are both said to be preparing offers in an attempt to persuade him away from a reunion with Guardiola and a rendezvous with friend Sergio Aguero.
Neymar, with whom Messi struck up a strong friendship during their time together at the Nou Camp, has even asked the PSG hierarchy to sign the 33-year-old, although the club are said to be wary of potential implications on Financial Fair Play.
It remains uncertain that Messi can get out of his Barcelona contract, which still has one year left to run, in the current transfer window, having submitted a written transfer request on Monday.
He wants the club to honour a clause that allows him to leave for free within 10 days of the Champions League final, which technically expired on June 10 after the original fixture was scheduled for May 30, but was delayed until August 23 because of coronavirus.
Barcelona have responded to his request; telling Messi they do not agree the clause is active and the only way he can leave is if he pays the £626m (€700m) minimum fee release clause.
Manchester City are not commenting on Messi's future - and Sky Sports News had been told they were wary of an ongoing powerplay at Barca, which has seen both head coach Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal sacked, president Josep Bartomeu's future in serious doubt, and protests from supporters.
But Sky Sports News has been told that, in no uncertain terms, Messi's transfer request is not a bluff - he is serious about leaving the club at which he has spent his entire career to date.
Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill in Barcelona:
It's very clear that Lionel Messi is still determined to leave Barcelona and it's clearer now about where he wants to head.
Manchester City are the only club on the table as far as Messi is concerned.
Guardiola wants Messi, and Messi wants Guardiola. They both want to go on and win a Champions League. Messi has had plenty of those, of course, but wants to win yet another. That's his priority. Manchester City want to win their first.
It's not about money, even though money is a factor. It's about ambition and Messi believes Manchester City are best placed to fulfil that ambition. It's obviously going to cost money, his wages are phenomenal, and I still don't think Manchester City will get Messi out of Barcelona without some kind of fee.
This is Lionel Messi, in his head and his heart, wanting to leave. And it seems, wanting to go to Manchester City.
Sky Sports News' Bryan Swanson on The Transfer Show:
Will Manchester United make an offer for Messi? I'm not expecting them to bid for him this summer. We know the club are active, we've seen that in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho. My feeling is that when you add together the business model, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and Messi's likely wage demands, I think that all but rules out a move for him.
There were reports in Europe earlier this week that they had held talks with Messi's father, who is a representative. But I just don't think right now we can expect a United bid for him, even if he is a six-time winner of the Ballon d'Or.
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol on The Transfer Show:
Neymar is a factor in Messi being unhappy at Barcelona. He was unhappy that his good friend Neymar left the club to join PSG, and then he was unhappy that Barcelona failed to sign him back. You would think PSG is definitely an option for him.
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All the latest news, analysis and rumours from the window in one place.
The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5.
A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
