Vincent Kompany has offered his view on Lionel Messi’s potential move from Barcelona to Manchester City amid growing speculations of ongoing talks between the parties.
Having overseen an utterly underwhelming season at Camp Nou, Messi has handed a transfer request to Barcelona as he looks to sever ties with the club after 24 years.
The news of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s inexorable desire to depart Catalonia has alerted several Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Inter Milan.
However, the Citizens are said to be in the driving seat for the Argentina captain’s services, with Guardiola reportedly discussing a reunion with his former protégé.
Messi would be a top-class purchase and potentially a catalyst to reinvigorate Manchester City’s hopes of landing a first-ever Champions League title.
Widely-regarded as one of the greatest players ever, the 33-year-old has won Europe’s most prestigious competition four times so far and could be the final piece of Guardiola’s jigsaw.
The Sky Blues have failed to go past the Champions League quarter-finals under the Spanish manager, but Messi could be the missing link Guardiola is crying out for his Manchester City team.
Indeed, the former Etihad skipper Vincent Kompany reckons the Argentinean wizard and the ex-Barcelona boss are a perfect match.
“It’d be incredible for the club to have a player like him – he could help them take the next step by winning the Champions League,” Kompany said, as relayed by the Manchester Evening News.
“I know Guardiola’s way of thinking, so I can well imagine the two of them will still have a rapport. I can imagine Pep and Messi still have one another’s phone numbers. So they can give one another a call.
“If Messi has decided to leave Barcelona, then I can only respect his decision. Let’s be clear – as a City fan, I hope Messi joins them.”
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