Manchester City have claimed via Sky Sports that no offer was made for Lionel Messi last summer or since, and that no are talks happening.
The six-time Ballon D’or winner is out of contract this summer and currently free to negotiate with clubs about signing once his current contract is finished. He has been touted to link up with former manager Pep Guardiola this summer.
The Etihad was viewed by many as the forward’s likely destination last summer. The club president at the time Josep Bartomeu insisted last summer that no club was allowed to negotiate with him until his €700 million release clause was met.
Manchester City Deny Messi Approach
Messi’s Future Seemingly Undecided
Messi looks set to decide on his future in the summer after attempting to leave the club last summer. Barcelona’s recent defeat to Paris Saint-Germain increased speculation that the club’s all-time top goalscorer would depart once his contract was finished.
As Manchester City appear less likely to offer Messi an opportunity to finish his career in England, Paris Saint-Germain appears to be his most likely destination.
The French giants are one of the few clubs in world football that can afford his wages, and meet his desire of competing for the Champions League.
Losing out narrowly in last year’s Champions League final, as well as comprehensively defeating Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday may entice Messi to link back up with Neymar in Paris, who played a key part in Messi’s last Champions League triumph.
As it stands, however, the forward’s future is undecided, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be a Barcelona player next season or finally ply his trade elsewhere. From a Barcelona standpoint, they’ll be desperate for his stay. Going through a transitional period is difficult enough, but going through it without your best player is the worst-case scenario.
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