Jose set to sign Messi ?

Spanish paper Sport have posted a classic surely-it’s-never-gonna-happen transfer story on Monday suggesting that Leo Messi could leave FC Barcelona for Manchester United. 

Sport set the tone of their article with their headline: “Machiavellian Mourinho’s operation to sign Messi to United”.

The launching point for the story centres on the fact that Leo Messi, whose contract at the Camp Nou expires in 2018, rejected an extension offer back in the summer. 

Sport claim that the Special One is getting set for a “spectacular manoeuvre”, backed by Adidas, to try to bring Messi to Old Trafford.

     

A massive bonus

It’s claimed that Man United are willing to pay Messi 100 million euros a season to not renew with Barcelona. 

To be clear, this 100 million euros is set to be agreed with Messi while he’s still a Barcelona player. Put another way, Messi would be collecting huge sums of money from Barca and Man United at the same time.

Moreover, Adidas are set to foot the bonus bill to bring the Argentine to the Premier League.

Whether such a plan is feasible is up for discussion. It’s clear this possible transfer strategy is a very complicated plan. 

Messi, of course, is an Adidas client, while Barcelona have their kits made by Nike.