Ever since last season, it's been widely known and reported that Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona for either Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City. Now, Barcelona have released a statement telling the world arguably the most famous sports news of the decade so far, as the great Messi is set to depart Barcelona with 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
We take a look at where next for Lionel Messi and all the Lionel Messi transfer odds.
Naturally, City are one of the leaders due to the wealth at their disposal and the history between Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola, however, they are not the favourites they once were.
Both Messi and Guardiola built one of the greatest player-manager partnerships ever witnessed, winning two Champions League titles and a La Liga in each year they played together and built this Barcelona empire that we know today.
Guardiola’s presence is likely to be the driving force to obtain Messi, whilst after another disastrous Champions League campaign and another year with no title, the Argentine may look towards City to regain this trophy-winning era.
Now, with no buyout clause and the simpler logistics of wages and personal details all that is needed to be concluded, this is still a deal that could go through at 5/1.
Another factor could be the kind words of Sergio Aguero, who is now a Barcelona player after a decade with Manchester City. Messi's compatriot is the godfather of his children and both players remain as close as ever and no doubt the two were looking forward to playing together in Barcelona.
Perhaps Aguero will motivate and get in the ear of Messi to try and force this one through. Messi transfer offs to City are currently at 5/1.
Some would argue the only club who could possibly sign Messi is PSG, due to their extreme wealth and potentially to take over Europe with his signature.
The French champions have the fifth-highest revenue in football as well as being the 11th most valuable club, according to Forbes. This was shown with the record signing of Neymar for €222m as well as the signing of Kylian Mbappe for €121m a year later and Messi would merely just be the next superstar on their list and no doubt not the last.
Messi has always sung the praises of his former teammate Neymar, as the two conquered Europe together in a memorable 2014/15 campaign, where Barcelona won another treble. In fact, many out there will constantly state that Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were the best forward trio in football's history and Messi and Neymar would no doubt keep this going in Paris.
As of now, this move to France looks the most likely following Jack Grealish's move to City and the potential addition of Harry Kane also. City's budget might be a little tougher to work around now, but do not forget that this is a free transfer and City could well just bring on all three.
However, Messi to PSG odds are at 3/10 and it seems like they are going to get the man many call the GOAT.
The third most valuable club in the world, according to Forbes, is Manchester United, who in recent years have splashed the cash on star players such as Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire in attempts to salvage their post-Sir Alex Ferguson woes.
It does, however, seem a near-impossible task for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to attract Messi, despite United's stature and sudden growth under the Norwegian. United are Cristiano Ronaldo's former team, Aguero's former rivals and Guardiola's current enemies, so, it doesn't really add up at all.
Nevertheless, the Lionel Messi transfer odds to United are at 18/1.
Before Messi signed for Barcelona’s famous youth acadamey La Masia, the superstar was with his local side, Newell's Old Boys and as most South Americans do, he has stated his desire to return one day.
Argentinian players such as Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano are currently finishing their careers in their home country playing for their boyhood clubs. This is common with many Argentina players including Aguero, who stated he will finish his career at Independiente.
Although the Messi to Newell’s Old Boys odds are currently priced at 18/1, it is a seemingly impossible task to get this done. In a few years, perhaps this will work out, but for now, there is still plenty of fuel left in the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's tank.
