A report in Spain has claimed Manchester City are willing to meet Lionel Messi’s Barcelona buyout clause and Messi is open to the move.
El Confidential have said City will attempt to take advantage of Messi’s unhappiness with his contract and the current negotiations, which have not gone smoothly, as well as Messi’s tax case and the way it was covered in the Spanish Press.
The potential departure of Tata Martino as Coach this summer has also been cited as a factor in Messi’s growing discontent while it is said his Barcelona teammates recently called on him to put more effort into matches and training, which didn’t sit well with the Argentina forward either.
Messi, it is claimed, feels there would be less intense pressure on him in Manchester than there is in Barcelona.
The report goes on to say that both City and Paris Saint-Germain have spoken with Jorge Messi, the player’s father and agent, although a move to PSG is complicated by France’s 75% high earners’ tax rate.
If Messi was to move to the Etihad Stadium, he would earn €25m per season, it is said.
