Barcelona News & Transfer Rumors: Could Lionel Messi Head to Manchester City or Chelsea?
The 2014-15 La Liga season is not even halfway complete, but huge transfer news that could have gigantic implications on the soccer world may be looming.
According to multiple reports, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi would "consider" transferring to the English Premier League.
"I'm thinking of having a great year at Barcelona and winning titles. After that, we'll see. I always said that I'd like to stay, but things don't always work out," said the 27-year-old Argentine, referring to his future with Barcelona.
Realistically speaking, the only two EPL teams that could land Messi would be Manchester City or Chelsea. Similar to Major League baseball, the most valuable franchises and clubs can afford the best players. Paris Saint-Germain has been listed as a possible destination because they can afford Messi, but Ligue 1 may not intrigue Messi as much as EPL or La Liga.
Manchester United is the most valuable soccer club in the world, while Barcelona and Real Madrid rank second and third respectively.
Losing Messi would not only be extremely damaging for Barcelona, but for La Liga, as well. The Spanish football league is well known for having some of the most talented and skilled soccer players from around the world. Players such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Iker Casillas and Claudio Bravo are some of the most notable. Losing Messi to England wouldn't be terminating, but it would be damaging for the league.
Early reports have indicated that both Arsenal and Manchester United will most likely miss out because of team contracts.
Messi has performed well this season, and he has Barcelona in second place with 25 points only behind Real Madrid, who has 27 points. Messi has scored seven goals and recorded seven assists in 11 games this season.
Messi has said several times in the past that he desires to finish his career at Barcelona, but transferring to Manchester City or Chelsea wouldn't surprise anyone. Messi's father (and his agent), Jorge Messi, downplayed a possible transfer saying, "there are no thoughts of leaving Barcelona."
Some rumors have even swirled around that Messi is "envious" of how Ronaldo is treated at Real Madrid. Messi has had his clashes with management in the past. Another factor to consider is Brazilian superstar Neymar, whose contract is just as big as Messi's. Many soccer experts believe that Neymar's contract could prohibit Messi from staying in Barcelona. A lot of people think that Neymar was brought in as a future replacement for Messi.
Messi's contract does not end until after the 2018-19 season, meaning that if another soccer club were to acquire Messi, they would have to buy him out, and Barcelona would have to agree to sell him.
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