Reports emanating from Spain reveal that the entourage of Lionel Messi have commenced talks with Manchester United over a possible transfer of the Argentine to Old Trafford.
The 33-year-old shocked Barcelona Football Club by submitting a transfer request after the club’s disgraceful 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Messi had been in doubt as regards his future at Camp Nou but he has decided against staying after coming to terms with the fact that Barcelona’s rebuild will take time and he is fast approaching the end of his career.
His decision to leave Barcelona has stormed the footballing world but it would have been a stupid thing to do without identifying his next destination.
Many clubs in the world could not afford Messi’s current wages and Sport has claimed that Messi’s representatives have spoken to Manchester United over a move to Old Trafford.
It was reported that United’s hierarchy would be willing to pay Messi’s transfer fee but there are uncertainties over the legal terms of the Argentine’s contract with Barcelona.
Messi had the chance to leave Barcelona for free earlier this summer if he had he informed the of his desire to leave before July 10. However, he did not activate the release clause and Barcelona now see no reason why he should leave for free.
Notwithstanding, Messi’s camp are pushing for him to leave the club as no club can pay his £700m release clause due to his age.
Barcelona could exercise the option of taking Messi to court if he pushes for free transfer but the La Liga club want to keep him at all cost.
