Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[Bobby Heaton Moor]

English media really starting to dig their scouse-obsessed heels in on this. They don't want this to happen. Praying we can get it over the line

 

[razman]

 

[chesterbells]

He’s reliable Jack, isn’t he?

 

[EricBrooksGhost]

Only city would be stupid enough to sell Jesus as part of the deal leaving us with only 1 injury prone striker for what is sure to be the most challenging season in terms of condensed games we have ever had.

Christ.

I suggest you wait before describing us as stupid; here's your briefing

 

[chesterbells]

... is that “according to Barca” ?

 

[leo_city]

Yeah could never really expect him to leave on a free really, the biggest hurdle is negotiating a fair deal.

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

Well paying that termimation clause aint going to happen

 

[@BluePhil8]

Funny, as much as I like Mahrez I actually think him and Garcia in exchange for Messi would be brilliant for all parties.

We lose their wages, Barca get a very competent winger who’s won the PFA, AFCON, Premier League etc who plays on Messi’s flank etc.

I can’t see any trades though, think we’ll put it through as €100m to Barca and then as a separate deal they’ll give us €30m for Garcia.

 

[MillsyTheMosher]

I suggest you wait before describing us as stupid; here's your briefing

Get in !!!

Knew it.

Pep, Txiki, Ferran i apologise.

Now lets get Leo signed.

 

[FCBarca]

We need to step back from all this noise.

If we assume that Messi is genuine in his desire to leave, eventually Barca will have to accept that, if they haven't already. Does Barca want an unhappy Messi on the books? The answer is no, so even if they could force him to stay with legal shenanigans, what would be the point? And if they accept he's leaving why would they create a financial barrier so high that no club could leap it?

First, I do not believe Bartomeu is willing to accept any exit unless he can have control of the narrative/terms of said exit.

Two, I am on the fence as to whether Bartomeu believed Messi would follow through on a threatened exit or even wonder whether this was not always his goal anyway - I just think the timing (Esp. due to COVID) probably was not something he saw coming.

Three, I do not believe Bartomeu cares whether Leo is happy now or not - now it is about saving his remaining mandate along with a continuity candidate

Four, the money matters for Bartomeu - particularly because the club is paralyzed on multiple fronts without it or Messi, there is a domino effect there that even Barto & his stooges cannot spin into gold. Ideally for Barto he'd get a high fee + player exchange along with a public Messi exit ceremony where he can recapture some credibility although I doubt very much he'll get the latter.