Premier League club Man City are moving forward as if Barcelona won't honor Lionel Messi's request to terminate his contract en route to completing an exit from the Catalan club.
According to SDP, City are preparing an offer that includes €100 million in a transfer fee, midfielder Bernardo Silva, forward Gabriel Jesus and Garcia for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Previously, Globo Sport mentioned Jesus as a potential replacement for Luis Suarez, who rapidately is set to have his deal with the Spanish giants canceled.
City were clicked with Messi even before the Manchester outfit and Barcelona were unceremoniously bounced from the Champions League in the quarterfinal stage of the competition. The biggest issue hovering over any transfer is the €700 million release clause attached to his rights.
Per multiple stories, Barcelona claim that a stipulation in Messi's contact that allows him to opt out at the end of any season expired for the 2019-20 campaign on June 10. Some, however, believe Messi's camp can argue that point since the European calendar was pushed back into the second half of August because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, Spanish football insider Veronica Brunati tweeted on Wednesday that the four-time Champions League winner and Barcelona could come to a compromise that includes the club receiving significantly less money in a transaction with a side that could afford to accept his massive wages.
As of Aug. 26, Odds Shark named City as the favourites to win Messi's signature before the summer transfer window closes. Peter smith of Sky Sports recently wrote about how City manager Pep Guardiola, who worked with Messi at Barcelona, can lure the 33-year-old to the English top flight to pursue at least one more successful Champions League run:
"Then there is the added bonus for Messi of linking up with his close friend Sergio Aguero, too. But sentiments and friendships won't drive Messi's decision. Ambition will."
If he gone out would it will be most shocking news of old football world.