Koeman hands City Messi boost
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has not ruled out Lionel Messi leaving the club next summer.
The Barca star confirmed over the summer his intention to leave the Camp Nou, but after a stand-off with the club regarding the validity of a release clause he opted to stay and avoid a damaging court battle.
During his two-week discussion with the club, Manchester City were favourites to sign to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
COO Omar Berrada recently told MEN Sport the Blues will be able to sign Messi if he becomes available again this summer.
Meanwhile, Koeman confirmed his role in convincing the player his immediate future is with Barca.
“I was always hoping Messi would stay for this season,” Koeman said after Barca’s surprise defeat at Getafe. "If he had left in the summer, I would have had a very different situation at Barca.
“He wanted to leave but the club was very clear to him. The buy out clause was so high, that not a single club in the world was going to pay that in these times.
“I went to his house and took time to listen to all the things he said. But I also explained to him that I had not been a part of the problems he had with the club and told him how I was going to work to change things.
“We ended up talking football tactics. It ended as a proper football chat and that convinced me he is a real lover of the game and he still wanted to put everything he has into Barcelona.”
Barcelona confirm Garcia stance
Barcelona are considering a January move for City defender Eric Garcia.
The 19-year-old is in the final year of his contract but Barca wanted to sign him in the summer, rather than wait and get him on a free, but refused to meet City's valuation.
That has not put an end to Barca’s interest, however.
“There is a chance for sure that we are going to have another go for Garcia,” Koeman said.
“But right now I cannot know how the finances of the club are in January, so I have to wait and see.”
Aguero to avoid punishment for Massey-Ellis incident
It is understood City striker Sergio Aguero will not face any retrospective action for grabbing the shoulder of assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis.
The incident occurred during City’s meeting with Arsenal on Saturday and saw Aguero place his hand on Massey-Ellis after a decision went against the Argentine star.
Guardiola dismissed the incident after the game, saying: “Come on guys. Sergio is the nicest person I have ever met in my life. Look for problems in other situations, not in this one.”
There were calls from the public for Aguero to face retrospective action, but it is believed that will not happen.
