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Manchester United Are One Of Five Clubs Said To Be Interested In Lionel Messi

Manchester United Are One Of Five Clubs Said To Be Interested In Lionel Messi

Messi has a special exit clause in his Barcelona contract...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Manchester United are reportedly one of five clubs interested in signing Lionel Messi in the summer.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has a special clause in his Barca contract that allows him to terminate his deal at the end of every season - something both Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol had the option to do during their time at the Nou Camp.

The chances of Messi leaving the Blaugrana appear to have increased significantly in recent times after he slammed former teammate and current Barca sporting director Eric Abidal.

Messi furiously hit back at the Frenchman's claim that the players did not "do all they could" when Ernesto Valverde was in charge of the club.

Image: PA
Image: PA

And it's led to speculation that the 32-year old could actually look for a new challenge in the summer, with plenty of clubs queuing up for what would be a quite breathtaking free transfer.

La Gazzetta dello Sport say that Manchester United are a potential suitor despite their recent fall from grace, while rivals Manchester City are said to believe they are first choice if Messi does indeed decide to leave.

PSG, who would have surely have no problem paying the extortionate pay packet Messi would command, are said to be interested - as are Serie A's top two Juventus and Inter.

Juventus is, of course, where long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo plies his trade and after inviting him to join him in Italy in the past but the thought of the two playing in the same side has always seemed nothing more than a pipe dream.

But then again, anything can happen in football.

Image: PA
Image: PA

While it's hard to see Messi in a shirt that isn't red and blue, former Barca player Francisco Carrasco thinks there's a strong chance that the 32-year old departs the club in the near future.

"He [Messi] is ill at ease," Carrasco told El Chiringuito, via AS.

"In all the years I've been watching him and have loved the way he plays, it's the first time Messi has looked to me like he has one foot out of the door. I've never had to say that before."

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Topics: Manchester City, Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Manchester United, PSG, Juventus, Inter Milan