Man City Now +130 Odds to Sign Lionel Messi By October 6; Barcelona Barely Favored at -120

• After a disappointing season for Barca, club legend Leo Messi has made it clear he wants to leave Camp Nou
• Man City currently looks to be his most realistic landing spot, with Messi keen to play under Pep Guardiola again
• Where could the Argentine end up? Get the odds and best bet below

The transfer window just got a whole lot more exciting. As numerous players join new clubs across Europe, we could now see one of the best players to ever step on the pitch also taking his services elsewhere. After failing to win La Liga and crashing out in the Champions League Quarterfinals in embarrassing fashion against Bayern, Messi made it very clear on Tuesday that he would like to leave Barcelona after 20 years with the club.

The 33-year old was allowed to leave for free in June, activating a release clause in his contract. But, Barcelona is now claiming he wouldn’t be able to depart for no cost. However, Messi’s representatives believe the clause should still be valid considering the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the end of the season. Messi’s current transfer fee is 700 million euros. Messi and Barca could be in for some legal battles which could halt a move to another club, as the Spanish giants want to keep their star.

Leo Messi Next Team Odds

Odds taken August 26th

Considering the news that Messi wants to leave Barca just came out on Tuesday, the Catalan club still has the best odds, but not by far. Man City, who looks to be a potential suitor for the Argentine, aren’t far behind at just +130.

Leo Messi wants to activate the clause to leave Barcelona immediatly, as FCB also confirmed. Barcelona position is still so clear: Messi has a 700 million euros release clause, the "free clause" has expired in June. Board reunited to take decisions on next days. 🔴 #FCB #Messi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2020

Could Messi Land in Manchester?

Messi has been faithful to Barcelona for many years, but at this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that he will move on. Any club in the world would love to have such a bright talent, but only so many could actually afford the most expensive player on the globe.

Messi played under Guardiola at Camp Nou from 2008-12, enjoying boatloads of success under the Spaniard. Reports have claimed that the two parties have already touched base. City’s Chief Executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain both worked at Barcelona before as well.

Man City aren’t short on money and would be one of the teams who could actually take on Messi’s hefty contract. They’re in talks for a three-year deal at the Etihad, which could see the Argentine land in the MLS with NYCFC once the contract is up since the Citizens own the New York City-based side. The English giants are banking on the possibility of getting Messi on a free transfer, but this will depend on the possible legal battle that could happen between Messi’s party and Barca. But, Guardiola’s side will be prepared to pay the Barca star in the ballpark of 500,000 euros per week.

It’s scary to even think of Messi joining an already electric attack with City. Seeing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner conquer the Premier League would be a treat to watch as well. Having only played in La Liga for the majority of his career, Messi would undoubtedly be up for the challenge of playing in arguably the top league in the world under a world-class manager who’s tactics he is already familiar with.

Although Inter Milan nor PSG have been in contact with Messi, they’re both just behind Man City in the sportsbooks. However, the Argentine International has made it clear that he’s keen on a move to England, so if negotiations with Barca go smooth, City looks to be his next destination.

Manchester City are considering offering Lionel Messi a 3-year deal that would then see him move to NYCFC in MLS, per @RodrigoFaez, @moillorens pic.twitter.com/mQwV4RQghC

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 26, 2020

Man City is Best Bet

One way or another, I don’t see Messi playing at Camp Nou next season. He’s clearly done with the club, despite their desire to build a revamped squad around him. Considering the strong relationship he already has with Guardiola and several higher-ups in Manchester City, it seems very likely that he will become their new number ten.

Although his signing won’t secure City’s return to the top of the Premier League table with defensive woes still an issue, it will certainly give them the most lethal attack in England. I do expect Lionel Messi to be a Manchester City player by October 6th.

Pick: Manchester City +130