'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Paris Saint-Germain
Much like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain are one of the richest clubs in world football, due to which they make the list of realistic destinations for Lionel Messi.
Bankrolled by Qatari billionaire Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Parisian giants have been involved in several high-profile transfers in recent years, most notably in 2017 when they completed a stunning double deal for Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Winning the Ligue 1 has become the norm for Paris Saint-Germain, with the UEFA Champions League continuing to elude the club despite their best efforts. While the prospect of playing in France is unlikely to appeal to Messi, he could be the final piece in the jigsaw of PSG's European dream, as they look to finally get their hands on club football's biggest prize.
Additionally, Messi would be the face of the project alongside former teammate Neymar, with Mbappe completing what could be one of the most destructive trios in the history of the game.
However, any deal could be complicated due to his exorbitant wages, even for a club like PSG. Thomas Tuchel's side already have one of the biggest wage bills in world football currently and will be forced into making wholesale changes to their squad to accommodate Messi's extraordinary salary.
#2 Inter Milan
Inter Milan's interest in Lionel Messi dates as far back as 2006, when they nearly signed the then 18-year-old for a world-record deal worth €150 million. Barcelona were made aware by Inter that they were willing to trigger Messi's release clause, with the Argentine free to negotiate terms with the Serie A giants if the eye-watering fee was met.
However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta had no intention of parting with his prized asset, who he believed would become one of the greatest footballers of all time. The rest, as they say, is history, as Messi remained at the Camp Nou and cemented his status as a sporting icon.
Due to their long-standing interest, Inter have been linked with Messi over the years and could well make a move for the Argentine if Barcelona agree to let him walk for free.
Both Antonio Conte and Inter director Giuseppe Marotta addressed rumours of Messi joining Inter, as they referred to the situation as fantasy football. However, Conte, in particular, welcomed the idea of Messi joining the Nerazzurri.
"We're talking about fantasy football, situations that at the moment cannot be linked to Inter. For many reasons."
"I don't think there's a madman in the world who wouldn't want Messi. But that kind of situation really is very, very, very far from Inter, from what we are doing and what we are trying to build."
If Messi wins the legal battle with Barcelona and looks to secure a free transfer this summer, Inter are sure to be amongst the clubs interested in securing his signature.
#1 Manchester City
Since Sheikh Mansour acquired Manchester City in 2008, the Cityzens have enjoyed an astronomical rise and established themselves as one of the biggest clubs in world football.
Widely regarded as one of the wealthiest clubs in the land, Manchester City's free-spending and diligent planning behind the scenes has seen them achieve unwavering success over the past decade, whilst they also managed to attract some of the best players and managers around.
Noise about the Premier League giants making a move for Lionel Messi has been around for years and with Pep Guardiola at the helm, the Argentine has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.
The reliable Marcelo Bechler, who is believed to be amongst the first journalists to have broken the news that Messi is seeking an exit this summer, has announced that Messi wants to move to Manchester City this summer.
Aside from representing one of the most successful clubs in world football in recent years, the possibility of reuniting with Pep Guardiola could appeal to Messi, who at the age of 33 is approaching the twilight years of his career.
Additionally, the lure of the Premier League is also a tantalizing prospect, with the Argentine coming under scrutiny in recent years for spending the entirety of his playing career at Barcelona in La Liga.
Messi is arguably the greatest footballer in the history of the game and has nothing to prove at this stage of his career, but he could well be interested in taking up a fresh challenge in the Premier League.
As things stand, Manchester City are frontrunners for his signature if Messi does not reverse his decision to leave Barcelona this summer.
Also Read: 5 Barcelona stars who could be cast aside by Ronald Koeman
