Barcelona are set to play Celtic in Wednesday’s Champions League clash. Coach Luis Enrique has said that star forward Lionel Messi would feature in the game after reporters inquired of a rift building between the Argentine star and the club.
“Lionel is always ready to play and I’m sure he will be ready to face Celtic. He is 100 percent and eager to give the best version of himself,” Enrique said. On future plans of Messi, the coach said: “I don’t know. I have no idea.”
There have been reports that City have a really strong interest in landing Lionel Messi despite the odds. The Sky Blues reportedly want to break the bank in a bid to lure the superstar player to join his former coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. The Mirror claims that City are willing to pay Barcelona £100 million whilst promising Messi £500,000 in weekly wages.
Man City have been linked to the player several times before but the club seem more intent of recent to land the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. With the current deal of Messi set to end in 2018, there are reports that Messi might not agree to the current terms the club’s management is offering else the club would have to sell him soon or risk losing him on a free transfer.
The main opposition to City’s dreams would be French champions Paris St. Germain who have the financial might to match City’s bid. Meanwhile, City are also looking at adding defenders to their ranks, particularly with the recurrent injuries of Vincent Kompany. In the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace during the Weekend, Kompany picked up yet another knee injury. The 30-year old Belgian has started just two Premier League games this season, and might be on his way out of the Guardiola set-up.