Justice-godfrey Okamgba
FC Barcelona demigod, Leo Messi, has generated over 10 million tweets in 12 hours without any tweet. The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) doesn’t even have an official account on Twitter.
On Tuesday, he had a closed-door meeting with Ronald Koeman, the new Barcelona coach, and revealed his intentions to leave the club. But here is the problem – Messi’s Contract Release Clause amounts to €700 million. This simply means, any club that wants to sign Messi will have to pay €700 million.
Obviously, no club in Europe would want to spend such a huge amount of money on a thirty-three years old player. The highest transfer fee in the history of football is £200 million. Yes, PSG – Paris Saint-Germain paid that amount to sign Neymar Jr. in 2017.
The contract binding Messi and FC Barcelona is quite understandable. However, both parties may likely end up in court should Messi insists on leaving the club. Unless he changes his mind, at least, now that the situation has gathered massive attention.
Since yesterday, many clubs such as Juventus, PSG, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City were reported to have in the race to sign Messi. Those reports are mere speculations and unfounded. The circumstances look dicey, no club has made any bid. Absolutely, none!
Interesting, Messi’s current valuation is around £150 million. Now, let’s look at possible destinations should Barcelona shuns that release clause which seems to be the stumbling block ahead of Messi’s possible move.
Rio Ferdinand confirmed in a tweet on Tuesday that Chelsea’s boss, Frank Lampard was also interested in having him at the Stamford Bridge. Lampard has already spent over £200 million on 5 players. He is still rebuilding and the team will have years ahead to become competitive again.
You look at Manchester United, there is a zero chance for similar reasons. It just goes beyond the financial muscle of United. They can afford his wages, however, Ole Gunnar Solskjær would prefer to have a team of young stars like Kylian Mbappé, Jadon Sancho.
How about PSG? The manager already said last week that it would be nice to have Messi. However, doesn’t see him leaving the club. PSG can afford his wages as well. Messi has a good relationship and admires Neymar. In fact, the Barcelona demigod had wanted the club to buy-back the Brazilian superstar. Now, are these reasons enough for him to join PSG despite the French League been described as a farmers league?
The club that comes so close is City. Manchester City appears to be the most certain destination if Messi eventually leaves. Joseph Pep Guardiola has been a great admirer of Messi, even as a Manchester City Manager. In February 2020, during a press conference, he was asked if he would like him to play for him. Guardiola’s reaction as he responded was crystal clear.
Will Pep Guardiola’s Man City dominate England if Messi joins? Maybe, yes. Aside from that massive deals for the club. But would they dominate Europe? No. FC Bayern München just won the treble, they don’t have Messi. Real Madrid C.F. C.F. dominated Europe, they didn’t have him. Liverpool FC also did without him.
Honestly, no United fan would want Messi to move to Manchester City.