Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for Wednesday, August 26.
Barcelona sporting director issues Messi transfer update
Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes has outlined that the club are doing everything they can to keep Lionel Messi at the club amid rumours of a move to Manchester City.
City are believed to be the front-runners to sign the 33-year-old after he informed the club on Tuesday that he wants to leave.
Speaking earlier today, Planes stated that the Catalan giants want to ensure his long-term future at the Camp Nou.
He said: “It was very important news. But what the coach, the president and I have said many times, is to think of Leo Messi for the future of Barça, to build a winning cycle together with the best player in history.
"Barça has rebuilt itself many times in recent times and he always comes back with much more strength. Our idea is to build a team around the best player in the world."
Man City’s current stance on Messi transfer speculation
The possibility of Pep Guardiola being reunited with one of the game’s best players in history has never been so close.
City have been reckoned as one of the most likely destinations for Messi if he were to leave the Camp Nou in this transfer window.
However, there are plenty of hurdles to overcome even after the Argentine told Barcelona that he wants to leave the club.
Reports have stated that Messi could be available on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract but that may yet be settled in a court ruling. Not only that, but City would be bucking the trend of signing players at their physical peak by investing in a 33-year-old.
Messi, of course, remains one of the best players in the world but with that comes plenty of complications that could prevent a move from happening.
The one clause that complicates any Messi transfer amid City rumours
Any chance of Messi leaving the Camp Nou for City or any other destination in this window depends on his contract situation.
It is understood that the Barcelona forward has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for free at the end of every season if he wishes to do so.
While that may be simple in theory, the practice of it in such a disrupted footballing calendar means that much is left to be disputed between both parties.
A court ruling could end up deciding whether Messi is able to leave on a free transfer in this window which would certainly enhance City’s chances of signing the 33-year-old.
