Barcelona Rumors: Lionel Messi Eyed By Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain

Following reports about Lionel Messi’s plan to leave Barcelona in 2021, giant clubs outside Spain have turned their monitors on preparing for a potentially historic bid for the Argentine icon. An expected long list of suitors is a no-brainer, and based on accounts, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain could emerge as frontrunners to sign the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Varsky Sports, a TV network situated in Argentina, unveiled the rumor on Friday and bared that United and PSG are both “willing to go big” for Messi with a transfer offer projected to reach about $122 million. A potential deal is also expected to include a couple of other footballers to reach its completion.

Barcelona has been a searing venue of targets, most especially for United, who also tried to lure rising winger Ansu Fati to the Old Trafford. But with the Catalans adamant on keeping the prodigy, the Red Devils could instead be shifting their focus on the mentor, who has been vexed by the series of questionable moves pulled off by the Spanish club.

The created picture of Messi making a blockbuster transfer to either of the two giants seems interesting at first thought, but the actuality of such a move is seen like squeezing water from a stone.

“It’s claimed both (United and PSG) are ‘willing to go big’ for the Barcelona star should he sensationally decide to leave the Nou Camp for a new challenge elsewhere,” Jack Otway of Express wrote. “While that’s the case, however, Messi moving to either United or PSG seems to be impossible.”

For Man Utd, chemistry considerations could play a significant factor as to the improbability of Messi getting signed by the club, especially that the Red Devils have been making strides under the calls of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has permanently taken over the Old Trafford since signing a three-year contract in March 2019.

“United are only just hitting form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and any potential move to Old Trafford would be a risk given their plight in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement,” Otway added.

The speculation on Messi’s departure from Camp Nou has immediately sent shockwaves to the sport. Further developments will be closely monitored, but as the projection suggests, it would take more than just a lucrative offer before the Argentine actually leaves the Blaugrana.