Man City lead race to sign Lionel Messi
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 reports 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 .
Source: Punchng.com