Man Utd and Man City to do battle as Lionel Messi considers shock Barcelona exit in 2018

Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona in 2018

LIONEL MESSI could prompt a bidding war between Manchester United and Manchester City by leaving Barcelona in 2018.

 

Reports in Spain claim the four-time Balon d'Or winner will consider his options because of ongoing disputes with the club over his alleged tax avoidance.

Under Financial Fair Play restrictions, it was previously reported that United are the only club who can afford him.

Barca could demand his £195million buyout clause is paid in one payment and The Guardian claim they are likely to do exactly that.

City are also reported to have explored the possibility of a bid but would struggle to generate enough cash to fund a move.

United are under no such restrictions and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has said the club would not baulk at breaking the world record transfer fee.

They were willing to break it to sign Gareth Bale in the summer but nothing materialized.

 

And Woodward insists they will continue to spend big after shelling out more than £100m on the likes of Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Anthony Martial in the summer.

“Whether it’s a [world] record or not doesn’t really resonate with us.," he said.

"What resonates is an elite player that the manager wants who is going to be a star for Manchester United.”

 



Manchester United are keen to continue spending after shelling out more than £100m in the summer

A bid for Messi would dwarf all of their previous deals and there is also the small matter of the 28-year-old's wages.

The Argentine signed a new five-year contract last May worth around £16.3m a season.

That means the total cost of any deal could reach as much as £275m.