2 comments:
1) Moan about the deal in principle
Hitherto I didn't see the sense in buying Messi because of his age but the free transfer makes it possible, and I have not thought about the effect on New York City etc. However, if you start to add a £100m transfer fee to £300m wages (approx) then you have to wonder if that's the best use of resources.
The Mancini and Guardiola sides were built by very heavy but very sensible investment in the best young players in their position e.g. David Silva, Aguero, Kompany, Sterling. The strategy has worked. I would prefer City to go back to those early day of the transfer window when we sort out the star young players and bought them. e.g. the central defender I'd buy this Summer would be Koulibaly. And then I'd target a left back, and someone like Kante for defensive midfield. Buying players who are 33 and going downwards doesn't seem sensible to me. That's a massive departure to what we have done.
2) Likelihood of a deal
Will it happen? I don't think City will risk forcing a free transfer but Barcelona FC have opened up a war with Messi FC and they need to move on so I think they will want a resolution. I think they will be ready to sell for c.£100m. City might try and force it down but then you have the risk of other clubs coming in so I see a negotiations and a relatively small fee smoothing his exit.