Lionel Messi set off a firestorm this week by declaring his playing days at Barcelona are over. His departure from the Spanish club is not yet official but already, scenarios are beginning to play out - imagining the next stop for the superstar. So what shirt is Messi wearing next?
Before answering that question, it was clear from the statements issued by Barcelona that Messi getting out of Catalan will not be easy. The club said the team captain cannot transfer out for free and should he insist on leaving, the price tag has to be £700 million and no less.
Surely there are European sides that can afford the cash required to sign the Barca captain but paying that much for three or four years of Messi seemed unwise. The 33-year-old knows the best way to start new is to minimize the cost that the next team will incur, hence expect some dose of legal arguments before he can finally make the jump.
Setting aside that concern for now, Metro said Messi's representatives are already in talks with two giant clubs if only to explore the possibilities. A usual suspect would be Paris Saint-Germain because of the French side's perceived deep pockets.
However, the inclusion of Manchester United came as a surprise as the Premier League club is known averse to overspending. It is unimaginable that Old Trafford will sanction the use of too much just to bring Messi over to England.
There has to some form of restructuring and the report said that is exactly what the club is doing. Meaning having Messi on their side is so tempting that United will make the big adjustments not seen in many years.
To note, that last time United paid big in salary was the signing of Alexis Sanchez and it did end too well for the club. It might be that Messi's arrival will bring with him better results but that is a picture that United fans can only hope will come true.
So it would seem that the better option for Messi playing for the Parisians. They can pay the huge transfer fee and the superstar's salary requirements. And most importantly, PSG can win the titles that will make Messi happy in the few years that are left for him.
ESPN said Messi representing Parc des Princes next season has got to be scintillating.
"If they could unite Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Angel Di Maria in the same team, then by god anyone not transfixed by that prospect needs help," said the report.
More clubs are on the waiting list such as Manchester City as sentimental choice because Pep Guardiola is there but by far, United and PSG are the standouts and with the latter likely the favorite to land Messi, that is granting he gets the release clearance from Camp Nou this summer.
