Manchester United have reportedly made two distinct inquiries for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who is allegedly unsure about his future at the club. According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils had made two separate approaches in the last three weeks for the Argentine player on Friday.
According to Adam Crafton from the Daily Mail, Messi is apparently unsettled at Barcelona and is seeking assurances over his long-term future at the club. He was also reported to be ‘frustrated and hurt’ because of the extensive media coverage on his ongoing tax fraud case.
If the current legal dispute has altered things, that could be a big setback for Barcelona. Messi is an integral part of Barcelona attack as most of the goals from Neymar and Suarez would not have been possible if not for the 28-year-old. Losing him would not only be an upset for the football club but the entire city.
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But United were practical enough to admit that they would not be able to lure Messi from Barcelona this summer and will have to wait until they are a strong force in the Champions League football, possibly by the 2017-18 season. This would also give them an added advantage as the Argentina international would be in his last year of the contract with the Catalans.
The Argentine player had scored a total of 41 goals this season for the Catalans and had played a very crucial role in the 131 goal partnership between him, Neymar, and Suarez.
But to be realistic, it’s tough to see a transfer for Messi materialising, though. The 28-year-old is almost a holy symbol in Catalonia, as his pictures are illustrated all over Barcelona’s city centre as well as the Camp Nou and losing the player would be a big disaster for the football club.
Messi has always seemed content with life at Barcelona and hopefully will not be going anywhere for many years.
United had earlier tried to pull the biggest names from the world of football to Old Trafford, including Neymar, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Furthermore with the Red Devils set to land Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal, it is clear that the club has eminent names on their agenda.
Therefore, it is no surprise that the club is interested in trying to sign Messi.
