Sven Goran-Eriksson thinks Lionel Messi would consider a move to Manchester City if they came knocking due to his links with club boss Pep Guardiola.
Lionel Messi would be open to joining Man City (Image: Getty Images)
Lionel Messi would be open to joining Manchester City if they made a formal approach for him, according to Sven Goran-Eriksson.
Messi, 35, has just six months left on his contract with Paris Saint-Germain who are keen to tie him down to a new deal following his World Cup heroics with Argentina. The forward returned to the Parc des Princes stadium after almost single-handedly driving his nation to the golden trophy.
But although he seems poised to negotiate a £30million-a-season contract extension with the Parisien giants, Man City could be able to tempt the maverick into making a switch to the Etihad. That’s the view of former England boss Sven, who believes Messi’s relationship with City boss Pep Guardiola swings the pendulum in the Premier League champions’ favour.
Pep played a major role in cultivating Messi’s natural footballing abilities when they were together at Barca, where they won a total of 14 trophies in four seasons.
And Sven doubts Messi would turn down the chance to work with his former mentor in the Premier League, one of the only top divisions he’s yet to conquer.
That’s the view of Sven Goran-Eriksson who listed a few reasons why he believes Messi would switch to the Etihad (Image: Getty Images)
Sven thinks Messi wouldn’t turn down the chance to work with ex-Barcelona mentor and City boss Pep Guardiola again (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Plus, Sven reckons the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would relish the opportunity to play alongside phenomenon Erling Haaland whose been terrorizing Prem defences this season, although he admitted it probably won’t happen.
Sven, who revealed he wanted Argentina to win the World Cup solely because of Messi, said to OLBG: “I wished Argentina to win the World Cup only because of Lionel Messi, he deserved it. I don’t know what will happen to Messi, but if he continues to play the way he did in the World Cup he is still one of the best.
Sven also thinks Messi will relish the opportunity to play alongside Erling Haaland (L) at City (Image: Getty Images)SIMILAR ARTICLES TO
“Pep Guardiola knows Lionel Messi very well so I can’t imagine he would say no to that transfer. It would be great for him to play in the Premier League, especially with Erling Haaland in front of him, but I can’t see it happening.”
But if City do decide to wade into the race for Messi’s signature, they’ll have to fight off a slew of MLS teams including Inter Miami who are keen to tempt the forward with a bumper contract. One place Messi’s unlikely to go is to Saudi Arabia like his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Europe to join Al Nassr.
source: dailystar.co.uk
