Man City Drop Messi For New Transfer Target
06 April, 2021
Manchester City have reportedly dropped their interest in Lionel Messi after identifying a new transfer target for next season.
There were reports in Spain this week claiming the Citizens will no longer be making for a Messi, who could be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola recently stated that signing a new striker could be expensive, but the Mirror have reported that the Citizens want Erling Haaland as a replacement for Sergio Aguero.
Aguero will bring his 10-year spell at the Etihad to an end when his contract expires at the end of the season, leaving Gabriel Jesus as the club's only senior striker.
The report claims Guardiola feels Dortmund's asking price of £130million for the 20-year-old is a bit excessive while the club are unlikely to agree on the £600,000-a-week wage that super agent Mino Raiola reportedly wants.
The Citizens are also hoping to use the £15million sell-on clause in Jadon Sancho's deal to help with the bargaining in a potential bidding war with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United.
It is believed Messi is no longer a realistic target for the Citizens due to the finances involved, but the club do view Haaland as a striker to lead the for the next decade.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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