Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards would both love to see Lionel Messi in the Premier League but have questioned how much a transfer would cost Manchester City.
The Barcelona star has told the club he wants to leave on a free transfer this summer . The 33-year-old has a gargantuan release clause in his contract but is prepared to fight to walk away for free due to a condition in his deal.
A reunion with Pep Guardiola at City is on the cards, with Paris-Saint Germain and Inter Milan linked.
Although Carragher made over 700 appearances for City's newest rivals Liverpool, he has insisted he'd love to see Messi in the Premier League.
"I hope so, I do," Carragher told Sky Sports when asked if he would like to see Messi in the Premier League. "I want to see Messi, I'd love to see him in the Premier League, I want to watch him, I want to analyse him on Monday Night Football. I want to do all of those things.
"The only place he can go is Manchester City. With the history he has with the manager, the financial clout that club have got.
"Liverpool won't go anywhere near that situation. Financially number one and also because of the way Liverpool play as well, a lot more energetic than City.
"City is a more technical game, I think it would suit Messi more. How you get that deal across the line with the figures involved, I'm not sure. It's mind-boggling."
Former City defender Richards is equally as excited at the prospect of Messi moving to England but has questioned the finances that would be needed to complete a move.
"As a fan, as a neutral, to have Messi in the Premier League would be fantastic," Richards said. "I'd love to see him over here. It would be great if Man City could pull that off, there have been so many reports, you don't know what to listen to.
"Just as a fan of football, I'd love to see him in the Premier League, it would be amazing.
"Barcelona aren't going to make it easy and how much is it going to cost? For Lionel Messi, you're looking at hundreds and hundreds of millions.
"How much will you get from a 33-year-old for two years?"
