Football Fan Sets Up A Fundraising Page So His Club Can Sign Lionel Messi

It seems unlikely that Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart would have any chance of signing Lionel Messi, but fan Tim Artmann has set up a GoFundMe page to attempt to pull off the improbable.

That anyone would be able to sign Messi from Barcelona would have seemed unthinkable not that long ago but the club's all time top scorer, and captain, is now certain to leave the Nou Camp in the next year.

Stuttgart, who have just returned to the Bundesliga after one season in Bundesliga 2, are not going to be anywhere near top of the six time Ballon d'Or winner's potential destinations.

That hasn't stopped Artmann attempting to raise €900,000,000 on the fundraising page to get the deal done, and so far he's made €1,437.

The fundraising page to pull off the most unlikely transfer ever. Image: GoFundMe

The fundraisers description says, "We VfB fans are collecting money to pay for Lionel Messi's transfer.

"In the event that the planned amount is not reached on time or Lionel Messi joins another club, 100% of the money raised will be donated to Viva con Agua."

Viva con Agua is a St Pauli based charity which helps to provide access to clean drinking water and 'basic sanitation' across the world. So if Messi doesn't arrive then at least those fans who donate are helping others.

Messi's transfer release clause is reportedly €700 million so the fans would need to reach their target to have a chance to activate it.

After that the club captain earns a reported €500k-a-week with the Catalan giants, not including bonuses or image rights, so the remaining €200 million would have to go on whatever earnings the forward wants.

Messi's last game as a Barcelona player looks set to be the 8-2 embarrassment against Bayern Munich. Image: PA Images

The 33-year-old forward is hoping to leave Barca this summer and could even go to court in an attempt to be able to leave for absolutely nothing.

If the club manage to hold firm and the player is unsuccessful in forcing his move through then he has just one year left on his current deal.

Although, even if he does leave next summer for nothing, it's still unlikely Stuttgart will be able to afford his incredibly high wages.

Manchester City remains Messi's most likely destination, sorry Tim.

Topics: Football News, Football fans, Barcelona, Transfer stories, Lionel Messi, Transfer rumours, Transfer news, La Liga, Transfer reports, Bundesliga

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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