Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero believes that there is no doubt in the fact that his club can still complete the signing of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward has been linked with a move to the Premier League side for a long time now, and fellow countryman Caballero admits that he has thought about linking up with his compatriot at the Etihad Stadium.
City are tipped to be the favourites to land Pep Guardiola as their manager when he steps down from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2016. The club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain know Messi from their time at Camp Nou and the 28-year-old also has a good relationship with Sergio Aguero and they are planning to lure Messi to England, according to reports.
City have the financial power to buy Messi: Caballero
When asked about Messi, Caballero was optimistic about the club’s chances of signing him.
“That subject is talked about a lot and it's inevitable not to think or speak about it,” Caballero said. “And then when you think that Kun [Aguero] is at the club and he's such a good friend of Messi.
“But until he's signed or not it's nothing more than a rumour. But yes, I understand that it's possible because this club has massive economic power. The expensive players that the club has at the moment shows that it can deal with high prices.
“Because of that it seems that they can try to sign Messi if he decides to leave Barcelona. No doubt that City can get Messi, but everything depends on what Leo wants to do.”
“It wouldn't just be another star in a team full of stars, it would be the best in the world in your team. Having the chance to enjoy that in the national team and imagining to be able to have him in my team, it would be the best in the world.”
Inter president says he would like to bring Messi to Italy if he leaves Barcelona
Former Inter player Juan Sebastien Veron had revealed that Messi had once confided in him that Inter was a club he would like to play for and club president Erick Thohir believes that his dream might not be as unrealistic as it sounds.
“Why not?” he said. “When he's out of contract at Barcelona that could be a great decision. He would be a star player for us and there would also be an opportunity to involve him further in the club. Right now we are building a strong, young team under Roberto Mancini – a team that is ready to challenge the best in Europe.”
Messi's contract with the Blaugrana still has two-and-a-half years left to run.
