The football world was sent into a frenzy after it was reported that Lionel Messi had handed in a transfer request.
The talisman did this after his meeting with the Barcelona board. This news begs the question, ‘Where could he go next?’
Having spent about 20 years at the club, the world where Messi plays for another European outfit seems unreal. But that might be a reality in the coming weeks.
His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2021. He can therefore, leave the club on a free transfer with mutual agreement. Only a few clubs can afford his massive $700 million release clause.
Photo: Barcelona media
In this article, NTRC’s Oladipupo Mojeed explores Lionel Messi’s possible options
Manchester City?
The links to the Etihad just won’t go away as it seems a logical destination. It will still take a lot of pull for it to become reality. This is considering the fact that Messi has been arguably the best player in the world for the past decade.
The clubs interested in him isn’t the issues, but rather the club he’ll be willing to play for. This is where the Citizens have an advantage.
Messi could be tempted to reunite with his former Barcelona boss, Pep Guardiola. It was under his tutelage that he made his meteoric rise to stardom. The reunion would be enticing as most of his successful and trophy-laden times was under the current Manchester City boss.
Besides his relationship with Pep, Manchester City are one of the few clubs with the financial power to afford his massive release clause and wages.
Champions League glory has slipped from their hands over the years. So, they have enough motivation to spend the money necessary to secure the Argentinian’s signature.
Inter Milan?
One of the few European clubs who have never hidden their interest and attempts to sign Messi in past years is Inter Milan.
They are now increasingly more confident of signing him. Former Inter Milan director, Massimo Mirabelli was quoted saying: “I can assure you that Messi is more than a dream for Inter Milan. He now has only one year left on his contract and Barcelona doesn’t want to risk losing him for free next summer”.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Italians are ready to splash out all funds necessary to secure his signature on a 4-year contract. This potentially will make him the highest-paid player in Italy, ahead of Juve’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Paris Saint Germain?
PSG is another of the few clubs that can afford to sign Messi in this financial climate. Despite having the two most expensive players in the world, they are yet to get their hands on the champions league trophy.
Their recent defeat in the final will probably increase their motivation to sign the lad. They will want to add more firepower to their frontline. So, Messi has just the right profile of their requirement.
For Messi, the departure of Neymar from Barcelona is one of the causes for his unhappiness at the club. His recent strides to bring Neymar back shows just how much he values the player.
The reunion with Neymar at PSG might just be enough to lure him away from Barcelona and a frontline partnership with Neymar and Mbappe can win enough trophies to keep him happy.
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Other top clubs with the financial capability to sign the Argentine are Manchester United and Chelsea. But they are unlikely to do so as the Red Devils are undergoing major restructuring to restore them to league dominance. Chelsea on the other hand, have spent over 200 million Euros already this window.
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