Last November, Arsene Wenger admitted that he tried to sign Lionel Messi, along with Gérard Pique and eventual Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Advertisement
Other English clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United are all more likely to meet the demands of the worlds best player, given their financial advantages over clubs that are less fortunate.
The story goes like this: according to The Daily Star, Messi is unhappy in Spain after falling foul of the tax authorities.
The 28-year-old Argentina global would cost in the region of £200m should anyone wish to snap him up on a transfer, and on wages of £600,000-a-week, the Gunners would have to shell out almost £1bn extra to pay him.
“Messi is injured, Cristiano is expected to repeat what he did previous year”.
Messi and his father are the subject of a probe into an alleged £3m tax fraud, and the case could see young Lionel have to appear in court.
But he’s spent the past few days training with Barca’s second team as he continues his recovery from the injury and amid growing claims he could make the bench, at least, for Saturday’s match against their fierce rivals. The Argentine superstar is been out with a knee injury since late September, and was given little chance of facing Los Blancos at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
“Leo completed the training sessions”.
He added that the pair actually have a good relationship, despite the intense El Clasico rivalry between Real and the Catalans, and said that he does respect Messi for his achievements in the game.
Recent years has seen iconic players join the Major League Soccer (MLS) ranks, with Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and former England internationals Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard all opting for the States.
Advertisement
Despite Messi’s absence Barcelona have been in fine form, losing just once in La Liga, and winning seven of their nine fixtures in all competitions.
