Lionel Messi has been linked with a move to Manchester City but Pep Guardiola has told him to stay put at the Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona with one year remaining in his contract. The Catalans are unwilling to listen to the Argentine’s demands and will seek his complete buyout clause of €700 million.
Manchester City have been strongly linked with La Pulga and the deal can be realized.
The Citizens have the financial muscle to even secure his signature at such a price but do not want to get in further trouble with the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.
Spanish sports daily, AS, has reported that Pep Guardiola has talked with Messi about a possible move and would love to have him in his ranks again.
However, the Catalan tactician shared that it would be in the interest of all parties involved to wait until the summer of 2021. Guardiola cited the Manchester club’s recent brushes with UEFA to justify his reluctance.
In the developing situation, Messi is ready to go all out against his current employers. He did not take part in training in a bid to terminate his contract with Blaugrana.
Barcelona hold all the bargaining chips and received support from La Liga on the matter. Messi’s certified burofax was rejected as adequate by La Liga representatives.
The Catalan club are using their PR machinery dislodge Messi’s demands. Their legal team is busy preparing for a legal battle.
Meanwhile, fans and neutrals have asked La Pulga to hold a press conference and share his side of the story.
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