Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[TonyM]

I just think that when you're looking at paying £170m or whatever figures are being quoted, you'd want a player with his best years still ahead of him rather than behind him. In fact i'd want three players with their best years still ahead of them for that money. As for shirt sales, whilst i'm sure they'd recoup some money, nobody really knows how much. His shirt sales as a barcelona player won't translate to the same numbers as a city player.

I agree. There's not enough time left in his career for his to be largely associated with us. The sensible thing to do is spend that money improving our squad and making the whole greater than the sum of it's parts.

On the other hand though in order to catch the next Messi on his rise you have to gamble fortunes (3 or 4 potentials would be in the same ballpark).

So if we want a true superstar then maybe this is our only option. (Today I'd prefer to be sensible. If he signs then I'll be over the moon. Giddyiness always trumps!!!)

 

[SPIDERBOY]

I just think that when you're looking at paying £170m or whatever figures are being quoted, you'd want a player with his best years still ahead of him rather than behind him. In fact i'd want three players with their best years still ahead of them for that money. As for shirt sales, whilst i'm sure they'd recoup some money, nobody really knows how much. His shirt sales as a barcelona player won't translate to the same numbers as a city player.

It's not your money

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I just think that when you're looking at paying £170m or whatever figures are being quoted, you'd want a player with his best years still ahead of him rather than behind him. In fact i'd want three players with their best years still ahead of them for that money. As for shirt sales, whilst i'm sure they'd recoup some money, nobody really knows how much. His shirt sales as a barcelona player won't translate to the same numbers as a city player.

This summer is probably the last chance to get him while he still has some great years ahead of him. After that I wouldn't bother. But people who talk about shirt sales really don't understand the commercial power of Messi. Fortunately, our owner does and has made sure that the commercial deals will pretty well pay for his fee and wages. That means it's also not a case of "We could spend that money on four other players."

 

[pml79]

This summer is probably the last chance to get him while he still has some great years ahead of him. After that I wouldn't bother. But people who talk about shirt sales really don't understand the commercial power of Messi. Fortunately, our owner does and has made sure that the commercial deals will pretty well pay for his fee and wages. That means it's also not a case of "We could spend that money on four other players."

Plus even if we only had him for 3yrs it would move us on to the next level for years to come with players and sponsorship to keep us ahead of our rivals

 

[remember arthur mann]

No chance, rags bidding 140 million for Neymar, obviously he'll jump at the chance 'istry' and all that !!

 

[Rammyblues]

Fill the ground for a start even with the North stand. That would bring in a bob or two. Leaving money aside this is all about the player and whether he will leave Barca. If he does and wants to come to us I can see our lot breaking the bank. Maybe with Pep here he would come. If he wants to stay at Barca and everything I have seen is his affection for the club and fans no amount of money will tempt him.

For me the signing of Pep and Messi would propel us into that top four of Europe and brand wise we would start to reduce the distance between ourselves and the super earners.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

he'll more than pay for himself, take our brand, team and development to a whole new level.

He's clearly in addition to other signings as a result, will be brilliant on the pitch and off the pitch takes us over that cliff and onto the new horizon and puts us right up there in coverage and reputation and aura.

It's a no-brainer if he wants to come, whether or not he achieves his Barca form is neither here nor there, we'll have Pep and the stars around him and we'll go on to win lots of trophies which is all that matters.

 

[Jack74]

It's not your money

+1

I wish are supporters would stop worrying about the money , annoying

 

[Samsdad]

Forget the money side of things for a mo .... 3 Years or so of watching the little genius grace our football pitch is what you should be thinking of and for that alone ..... Im definately in :-)

 

[geoff clipp]

I know it's not my money and I appreciate that money isn't really an issue as far we're concerned. My main gripe is that i don't think he's guaranteed to lift us to the next level on the pitch in the way others do. He's been at Barca since he was 13 years old, it would be a big change. Whilst i think people over exaggerate his failures to replicate his club form for Argentina, it's definitely worth bearing in mind that he hasn't been able to exert quite the same influence whilst playing for the national side. People seem to think getting Messi will guarantee Champions league success or something. I personally think we stand a better chance of winning the champions league if we address our other problems. That's not to say i don't think it'd be exciting if he came, i just think there's a possibility his next move could end up being a little underwhelming. I don't think there's a whole lot wrong with what i'm saying there and i remain open minded to the idea (of course i do, it's Messi!)