Barcelona has confirmed Messi sent a document expressing his desire to activate a release clause that would end his contract – which currently runs until June 2021 – and allow him to leave for free this summer.
Manchester City is watching Lionel Messi’s attempt to leave Barcelona this summer with interest but remains unconvinced the Argentina superstar will quit the Nou Camp.
With Man City’s Barcelona connections arguably making the Etihad Stadium Messi’s likeliest destination if he does become available, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Inter Milan are thought to be the clubs most likely to sign Messi if he becomes available.
“The information I have is that he would be happy to play there but that does not mean he will go there. What we’re hearing is that as far as City are concerned, there is still a good chance that he will remain at Barcelona this summer,” Kaveh Solhekol told Sky Sports News’, Transfer Show.
Messi played under City manager Pep Guardiola at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012, winning the Ballon d’Or four times, La Liga three times and the Champions League twice.
While Premier League champions Liverpool have ruled out a bid for Messi, and big-spending Chelsea have already recruited Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell for substantial sums ahead of anticipated moves for Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz, Manchester United appear to be the only other English club capable of recruiting Messi.
