Lionel Messi is 'set on playing for Manchester City' after telling Barcelona he wants out after nearly two decades with the club.
There's been major doubt surrounding the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's future in recent times and last night, breaking point was reached.
Following on from the crushing 8-2 Champions League quarter final defeat to Bayern Munich and subsequent managerial change from Quique Setien to Ronald Koeman, the Blaugrana captain and record goalscorer sent a fax during which he informed the club he wishes to leave.
And now, Marcelo Bachler, the Esporte Interativo journalist who first broke the Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain story three years ago, is reporting that Messi is keen on a sensational reunion with Pep Guardiola in England.
What's more, the reliable David Ornstein from The Athletic says the 33-year-old has already phoned Guardiola to inform him of his interest.
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Several other leading journalists are also reporting that City are best-placed to sign the Argentine after his bombshell announcement on Tuesday night, with one report from Gerard Romero of RAC1 naming Gabriel Jesus and Eric Garcia as potential makeweights in any deal.
It is evident, however, that any deal won't be straightforward to pull off.
Messi's release clause stands at a staggering £631 million, though he has requested that Barcelona refer to the clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a free at the end of each season.
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Barca have pointed out that the clause expired on June 10 but his representatives argue that it ought to have been extended to August due to the season being lengthened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawyers will likely soon be involved as a legal battle ensues between the two parties.
City's owners have long been waiting in the wings to see if Messi became available and after crunching the numbers, which are pretty hefty given Messi's Barcelona pay packet, it's said they believe there is "some chance" of pulling off the biggest transfer in history.
Having joined the famed La Masia academy as a youngster, Messi has spent his whole professional career at Barcelona - scoring an incredible 444 goals in 485 appearances and lifting 10 La Liga titles, six Copa del Reys, seven Spanish Super Cups and four Champions Leagues.
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