LIONEL MESSI’S dad is ‘already in Manchester negotiating a transfer,’ according to stunning reports.
The Barcelona great, 33, is set to quit his childhood club after nearly 20 years following a major fall out with the hierarchy.
Lionel Messi’s dad Jorge, right, is reportedly in Manchester to discuss terms over a transfer to Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manchester City are the 5/2 favourites to land the Argentine if he does leave, reuniting with Pep Guardiola.
And according to RAC1 and TyC Sports, Jorge Messi has landed in England to discuss terms over a sensational Etihad switch.
The reports add that a two-year deal is being mulled over by Messi Sr.
However, it is still unclear whether a transfer fee would need to be paid.
City chief executive Ferran Soriano believes that his side will successfully swoop in and take the six-time Ballon d’Or winner for free.
The 53-year-old, however, has reached out to Messi’s camp to assure them that City can afford to sign him – even if they have to pay a transfer fee on top of his mammoth weekly wages.
Messi faxed the board to inform them he wants to quit after growing furious with their treatment of him and, most recently, Luis Suarez.
He held a personal talk with Ronald Koeman following the Dutchman’s appointment as Quique Setien’s replacement last week.
What we know so far:
In their discussions, Messi revealed he sees his future outside the club while the new manager told him his “privileges” were over.
Messi, whose deal runs out in 2021, believes a clause in his contract means he can leave for free this summer.
However, Barcelona reckon that offer expired back in June.
The counter argument to that being the clause is thought to end ten days after the Champions League final and therefore has been pushed back to August due to the delayed season.
Legal teams are set to work out exactly what the contract situation is but Barcelona are insisting Messi can only leave if a team matches his £631million release clause.
Reports earlier suggested Messi even contacted Guardiola, his former mentor and boss, over a switch to the Etihad.
Together the pair won two Champions League trophies and three LaLiga titles as Messi was guided into a false No9 role.
It was thought Paris Saint-Germain would be the Argentine’s preferred choice where he could link up with Kylian Mbappe and former team-mate Neymar.
But the French champions are out of the running, as are Manchester United.
Chelsea and Inter Milan, however, continued to be linked.
But Barcelona fans are understandably desperate for the Argentine to stay with many taking to the streets outside the Nou Camp to insist the club keep Messi.
Angry supporters congregated at the club’s stadium and protested against president Josep Maria Bartomeu, demanding his resignation.
Pep Guardiola could be reunited with the six-tie Ballon d’Or winnerCredit: AP:Associated Press
Messi could be ready to wave goodbye after spending his entire career at the Nou CampCredit: EPA
Messi Sr is trying to sort out his son’s future almost 20 years after he moved to Barcelona as a teenagerCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi ‘has contacted old Barcelona mentor Pep Guardiola’ to tell him he wants Man City transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
