There are reports that Argentine football star Lionel Messi would have moved to the Etihad to reunite with Pep Guardiola following his sentencing to 21 months for tax fraud.
A new documentary shows claims the player reached out to Guardiola last term after feeling “trapped” at the Nou Camp.
Guardiola met the superstar in Spain about the move even though it never happened eventually. The documentary hinted that Messi’s father and his agent spoke with a City director over the purported move. All these were reported to have happened around early to mid-July 2016.
Messi was about to buckle under stress at the Catalan side so he met with the 46-year old. Messi’s father also reached out to the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu but he was told that Barcelona would not allow the player leave. Agreements were made and Messi signed a new deal to remain with the club – one that would take his career to a very advanced stage.
Aside Messi, Neymar’s dad is involved in a deal that would see him have earned up to £23 million since 2013 if his son moves to France. As part of the contract fees agreed last summer, if Neymar remains at Barcelona until August 1, his dad would earn a mouth-watering commission. Neymar Sr reported told Paris St-Germain to delay the world record £196 million deal for his son until after the August 1 date so he could get his big money bonus.
The deal to Paris already promises to be a dirty one and PSG could be sanctioned as part of Financial Fair Play rules. The club would need to make around £100 million to justify Neymar’s inclusion but the allure of Champions League football success is making them ignore all rules. Neymar would also be the official ambassador for the 2022 World Cup as the deal is set to be sponsored by Qatar Sports Investment. He would earn around £54 million a year aside other extras.