It has been revealed that a phone call from Lionel Messi to Pep Guardiola last summer prevented City from signing Harry Kane before the 2020/21 Premier League season.
This week it was unveiled that Messi had signed for Paris Saint-Germain after leaving boyhood club Barcelona, where he had spent his entire professional career.
Contract renewal negotiations between Messi and Barca broke down last week and PSG’s Qatari owners were quick to offer the six-time Ballon d’Or winner an eye-watering £25m-per-year.
Within 48hrs, Messi was at Le Parc des Princes sporting the no.30 shirt, and images of the footballing magician have left the Barca faithful heartbroken, as well as City boss Guardiola.
According to The Athletic, the Spanish manager has been desperate to reunite with Messi for several years and was under the impression he would sign the forward before the start of last season.
However, despite being regularly informed by Messi that he wanted to conquer the Premier League with City, the 34-year-old changed his mind and decided to stay at the Nou Camp.
City were in the heart of planning their pursuit for Kane before Messi rang his former boss to let him know that he would like to sign for City and was intent on leaving Barcelona.
This then led to Guardiola prioritising reuniting with Messi over bringing star striker Kane to the Etihad Stadium.
City worked quickly and made several significant sacrifices so that everything was in place for the Argentina captain to join, which then led to Messi sending the burofax to his employers informing them that he would not be renewing his contract at the club.
Should Guardiola have tried to sign Messi again instead of Kane? Comment below
The now-famous burofax sent the footballing world into a frenzy – but not City, who were cool and composed awaiting the go-ahead to sign Messi.
However, things didn’t go to plan as 10 days later Messi was sat in the Nou Camp being told he would not be allowed to leave for nothing - something he believed was written into his contract.
Again, Messi took it upon himself to call Guardiola on the same day that his immediate future was decided to let him know that he was still intent on leaving and keen to link up with him at the Etihad.
Instead, City ended up with neither Messi nor Kane - something which frustrated Guardiola.
It also explains why there was no interest from the current Premier League title-holders this time around, as they were not willing to put their pursuit of Spurs forward Kane on ice for the second time in two transfer windows.
Asked whether City may sign Messi last week after it was revealed that Barca could not reach a financially viable contract with their academy product, Guardiola said : “We were convinced Leo would continue at Barcelona, so right now he is not in our thoughts.
"It was a surprise for everyone — me included. The president was clear today.
“I didn't speak with the player or the president so I don't know what has happened but as a supporter of the club I would love for him to have finished (at Barcelona), but today the club needs to be sustainable and what happened in the last year was really not good.”
City are instead considering using their funds to meet the asking price of £160m for Kane.
The deal would make the 29-year-old the most expensive English player in history, a record that is currently held by Jack Grealish at £100m after he signed for City last week.
If their bid to replace club legend Sergio Aguero with Kane isn't successful, then questions will be asked as to whether they should have gone after Messi.
It won't be long until we find out.
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