Manchester United are reportedly considering making a sensational move for former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.
What’s the story?
According to well-known journalist and transfer expert Duncan Castles, the Red Devils are interested in securing the 34-year-old’s services this summer after he became a free agent.
“He’s available and looking for a club. It’s interesting to see what decisions will be taken by clubs,” Castles said on the lastest installment of the Transfer Window Podcast (as relayed by the Manchester Evening News).
“It’s interesting Manchester United – who have talked about their coherent strategy and planning that have gone into their transfers and they’ve been quick to do deals for two important players in positions where they needed players in – are saying, ‘Well, can we do something for Messi?’.
“I’m not surprised PSG are pushing to do it.”
United fans will be absolutely buzzing
Messi departed Barcelona in dramatic fashion over the weekend after it looked certain that he’d stay at Camp Nou after agreeing terms on a new five-year contract back in July.
The new deal would have reportedly seen the six-time Ballon d’Or winner half the £123m a season he is thought to have received in his previous contract.
However, the agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca’s wage bill under La Liga’s limit, but the club were unable to do so, leaving them with no choice but to allow Messi to depart following his remarkable 21-year association with the Catalan giants.
The Blaugrana president Joan Laporta said on Friday that attempting to retain Messi’s services could have put the club at risk for 50 years.
As a result, Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with a move for arguably the greatest football player to have ever graced the beautiful game, with contract talks said to be progressing between the club and Messi’s representatives.
Nevertheless, the player stated that he had “not agreed anything with anyone” during Sunday’s emotional press conference, meaning United may still have time to hijack any potential move, leaving the club’s supporters absolutely buzzing.
After scoring a quite sensational 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barca, adding a further 305 assists on his way to 35 major trophies, Messi’s time in the Catalan capital is over and after Castles’ comments, United supporters will be hoping his next destination will be the Theatre of Dreams, making their wildest fantasies come true. Having already had the privilege of watching Cristiano Ronaldo play for their club, United fans would be buzzing if they got to see Messi in the famous red shirt, even for just a couple of years.
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