The Daily Mirror has recently stated that Manchester City are leading the race for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi this summer. It is understood that Pep Guardiola’s side are in the driver’s seat to recruit the Argentine maestro if he decides to part ways with the Catalans during this summer transfer window. The Mirror has also suggested that Barca might be forced to cash in on their prized asset as they are in dire need to raise sufficient funds to rebuild their squad which could open the door for Man City to seal a move for him in this off-season.
Messi and his teammates were humiliated by Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals as they lost by an embarrassing 8-2 scoreline earlier this month. That defeat has left Barcelona in crisis as they try to figure out a way to strengthen their squad while also continuing their search for a new manager.
Messi’s Incredible Record At The Nou Camp Last Season
On a personal level, the Argentine international enjoyed another outstanding season as he banged in 31 goals and provided 26 assists in 44 appearances for Quique Setien’s team in the previous campaign. The 33-year-old has been a joy to watch despite his side’s struggles in both domestic and European football.
Offensively, the Rosario-born wing wizard has averaged 4.6 shots, 2.6 key passes and 5.8 dribbles per game in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. However, a player of Messi’s standards should be more accurate with his ball-distribution as he has completed 82.6% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top-flight (stats via whoscored).
What Are The Argentine Playmaker’s Best Attributes?
At 33, Messi has shown no signs of slowing down and can still make himself a constant headache for the opposition. He loves to take on multiple defenders and beat them off the dribble using his pace, ball-control and trickery out on the wide areas. The 138-capped Argentine international has continued to be a consistent goal-scorer and assist-maker at the highest level. However, his Barca career seems to be heading towards the wrong direction, and the 8-2 defeat versus Bayern could be a reality check for him and some of the other first-teamers in Setien’s squad.
Will Messi Be A Dream Acquisition For Guardiola?
With Man City prepared to offer him an escape route, Messi might fancy linking up with his former manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium next season. It will give him a fresh challenge and a platform to win more trophies at the top level. The prospect of Messi joining the likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero would be a dream come true for anyone associated with the Mancunian giants.
If the Mancunian giants can find a way to lure the Argentine superstar to England, then they will have a great chance of bridging the gap or even overtaking Liverpool at the summit of Premier League football. Plus, Guardiola’s ambition to win the Champions League with Man City could finally come true if Messi decides to weave his magic for the League Cup champions in the coming seasons. With all things considered, the Argentina captain will be a dream signing for Guardiola as he would significantly bolster his attacking options ahead of the new campaign.
