Manchester City remain the favorite to get Lionel Messi’s services next season, but some of the club’s biggest European rivals have also expressed their interest in the superstar.
Both Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have shown signs that they could potentially be in Messi’s mix, although bookmakers still see a fermenting two-club competition between City and FC Barcelona.
Neymar pushes for the PSG meeting
Earlier this week, Josep Maria Minguella – the agent who initially helped Messi sign with Barcelona at just 12 – suggested that Inter should be seen as the team most likely to land the Argentine.
“For me Messi already has a team: Inter,” said Minguella Cadena COPE. “In Italy they pay less taxes, and in fact there is Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s harder for me to see him in England no matter how long he’s been friends with him [Sergio] Aguero and [head coach Pep] Guardiola are at the City. “
According to an ESPN report, PSG superstar Neymar reached out to Messi on Thursday to potentially bring his talents to Paris. ESPN cited sources who said PSG midfielder Angel Di Maria – who also plays for Argentina – had also spoken to Messi about the link.
But French publication The group rejected the idea that Messi could come to France. Sources told the newspaper that PSG’s sporting director Leonardo had already spoken with Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father and agent. Sources said that in that conversation, Jorge said his son had already decided to move to England.
Unibet lists both PSG and Inter Milan as +800 choices to land Messi. This puts the two sides far behind both the City (-112) and Barca (-106), who may still have a chance to keep their star.
Klopp: “No chance” Liverpool lands Messi
Liverpool, on the other hand, will not chase Messi during the current transfer window. Jurgen Klopp, manager of the English Premier League champions, said that while it would be nice to have Messi on his team, it wouldn’t happen.
“Interest? Yes, who doesn’t want Messi on their team,” Klopp told reporters. “But no chance. Numbers are definitely not for us. But … good player. It would make him even more difficult to beat [Man City]. For the Premier League it would be great. I’d like to see it but I’m not sure if I will. “
While City can sign Messi, they may not have him on the squad in time for the start of the season. Liverpool will face Arsenal in the Community Shield match on Saturday, while the Premier League season kicks off on 12 September.
Messi Transfer Odds (Club on October 16)
- Manchester City: -112
- FC Barcelona: -106
- Inter: +800
- PSG: +800
- Manchester United: +2000
- Bayern Munich: +3000
- Chelsea: +3000
Probability via Unibet
Furthermore, it is not yet clear whether Messi will leave Barcelona. According to Sky Sports News, the 33-year-old has requested a meeting with Barca officials to discuss the situation and find a solution to the dispute over his contract.
Messi believes he should be able to leave on a free transfer, while Barcelona argue that the language requires Messi to tell the club of his intentions during a June window, even as COVID-19 has changed the European football calendar. If Messi cannot obtain the elimination or reduction of the transfer fee, he still has one year left from his contract with Barcelona.
Other long-term possibilities for Messi include Manchester United (+2000), Bayern Munich (+3000) and Chelsea (+3000).
