Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has decided that he wants to join Manchester City, according to Esporte Interativo journalist Marcelo Bechler:
Messi quer jogar no Manchester City. Trata a saída do Barcelona como algo que dói na alma, mas o fim de um ciclo pic.twitter.com/FVMPDvB7Go
— Marcelo Bechler (@marcelobechler) August 26, 2020
The Brazilian reporter is credited with breaking Neymar’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and also revealed Messi’s departure was on the cards ten days ago.
Due to the accuracy of his past reporting, it has led to a number of supporters on Twitter getting very excited by the possibility of the Argentinian superstar moving to the Etihad:
I beg this is actually gonna happen pleaseee??????
— Blizz (@BlizzCensored) August 26, 2020
THIS IS OFFICIALLY THE GREATEST NIGHT OF A CITY FAN
— KingKDB17 (@Kdb17King) August 26, 2020
OMFFFGGGGGGGGG PLEEAAASSSSEEEEE I BEG THIS IS HAPPENING
— James Ashley (Lakers in 5) (@James___Ashley) August 26, 2020
Incredible!
— Bliss Jackson♤ (@blissjackson) August 26, 2020
GET INNNNNNNNN
— Nugraha (@nugraha___) August 26, 2020
Stop…need to see it?
— Val Bennion (@Valbenn1) August 26, 2020
pic.twitter.com/hsgzzwSw1u
— Tom owen (@thomasalanowen) August 26, 2020
Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have also been mentioned as possible destinations for Messi but the 33-year-old seems keen to link up once more with his former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
There is still one major stumbling block before any deal can go ahead, though. Messi insists that he can leave on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract but Barcelona believe it expired on June 10th.
It is thought that the player may have to go to court to argue that due to the exceptional circumstances of the season, the clause should be extended until the end of August.