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Manchester City's Huge Offer For Lionel Messi In 2017 Revealed

Manchester City's Huge Offer For Lionel Messi In 2017 Revealed

It was big.

Anonymous

Anonymous

The details surrounding Lionel Messi's rumoured move to Manchester City in 2017 have been revealed by Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

During the Catalan political crisis last year, it is reported that Lionel Messi seriously considered leaving Barcelona, El Mundo has claimed.

The newspaper says that in return for leaving the sunny beaches of Barcelona for central Manchester Messi would be paid 250 million euros over five years after tax. In addition, City would have to pay the 31-year-olds release clause which at the time was understood to be €250 million.

According to the article, the discussion over his potential move took place between Manchester City CEO and former Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano and Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and agent.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Jorge was set to benefit to the sum of 50 million euros paid directly to him from City if he could convince his son to move from Camp Nou to the Etihad.

It is estimated that had the deal gone through that it would have costs City a whopping €755 million after tax.

Image: PA
Image: PA

During his press conference today, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola denied any link between Messi and the club.

"I have said many, many times since I've been here when I left Barcelona and I went to Bayern Munich then Manchester City, never have I asked Lionel Messi to join Bayern Munich or here when I was manager. I never went to the club to say I want this player. Never.

"I know how important this guy is for FC Barcelona. I never made the first step to say I want this player. Never, I will never do that.

"I have said a thousand times about that, I want him to stay at Barcelona."

Ultimately Messi agreed to a new four-year deal with Barcelona in November 2017 which includes a €700 million release clause. Notably, there is a clause in his new contract that if Catalonia secedes from Spain Messi will be allowed to leave on a free for the fear that Barca will be left out of Europe's major leagues.

Words By George Buksmann

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi