Lionel Messi transfer saga takes another twist. Messi, after spending 17 years at his boyhood club, he finally decided to part ways. He is heavily linked with the English club Manchester City. Where he wants to reunite with his former manager Pep Guardiola. His father, Jorge Messi, who is also his agent, had a meeting with F.C.Barcelona’s President Josep Bartomeu regarding Lionel Messi’s future at the club. Barcelona fans stormed outside Camp Nou in protest against Messi’s transfer. However, after two weeks, since he decided to leave Barcelona, now it is claimed that he wants to stay for another season.
Jorge Messi, after the meeting with Josep Bartomeu. He stated that it is still uncertain whether Messi will stay in Barcelona or make his move to Manchester City. When asked if there was any possibility for Messi to stay in Barcelona he replied “Yes“. Lionel Messi is now considering to stay at his boyhood club where he has had over 700 appearances for another season. He even missed Barcelona’s pre-season training as he was set to move to Manchester City. However, Barcelona and La Liga have forced him to stay in Catalunya.
Barcelona and La Liga have stated that Messi’s contract runs till 2021 and if any club wants to sign him, they have to pay around £700 million. However, many sources have confirmed that there is no release clause on Messi’s contract. The only leverage Barcelona have on Messi is that he still has one year left on his contract. So, Messi’s transfer to Manchester City looked inevitable. However, now he wants to stay at Barcelona because of Neymar.
Messi wants to stay in Barcelona
Neymar made his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Barcelona fans were unhappy with the Brazilian’s move to the French side. When the talks were on that Neymar might come back to Barcelona as Messi wanted him by his side, the supporters were unhappy with this decision. Lionel Messi doesn’t want this to happen with him and wants to leave Barcelona on good terms. He wants to be respected by the Cules even after his transfer to another club. However, it is very unlikely that he will extend his contract at Barcelona which ends next year in 2021. Lionel Messi will have a last attempt for Barcelona to help them lead to another UEFA Champions League success after failing in recent years.
Manchester City remains the strongest candidate to sign Messi if he finally decides to leave Barcelona next season. Lionel Messi’s teammates at Barcelona obviously want him to stay at the club. However, it is up to him whether he wants to leave the club next year or want to retire at Barcelona.
Although, nothing is official that Messi will stay at Barcelona for another season. However, it is now a possibility. Even though Manchester City knows that he does not have any release clause and their in-house legal team are fully aware. They have also prepared a budget in any case they want to bid on Messi. La Liga wants him to stay at Barcelona as they surely will hit a loss in the viewership. After losing Neymar Jr and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017 and 2018 respectively, it has already affected the La Liga viewers. And with Messi moving to the Premier League will only make it worse for La Liga.
Comment your opinions on whether Lionel Messi should retire at F.C.Barcelona or should he move to Manchester City. This transfer saga gets interesting day by day. We only have to wait for the confirmation from either the club or the player.
