The speculations of Lionel Messi leaving FC Barcelona have gotten more interesting instead of seeing some closure. After being reported that football clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have made some informal approach to discuss the possible transfer of Messi, now another report has been fueling the speculation despite the firm denial of the Barcelona club.
According to skysports, the Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said on Revista Bitesize that, "It is the closest he's ever been to leaving Barcelona. It doesn't mean he will but it is the closest he has ever been to leaving the club," pertaining to Messi's current thoughts and disposition.
Such statement is of course anchored on the current situation that Messi is facing together with his father Jorge Messi. The said surfacing reports suggest that depending on the result of the tax fraud case filed against Messi, he could choose to leave Camp Nou and possibly go to England.
On the other hand, aside from Messi rumored to be leaving Barcelona, another key player from Barcelona has been reported of having similar intention. The Brazilian soccer player, Neymar, who is the current main man of Barca due to Messi's absence, will ask to leave Barcelona because of some concern about his career. Express reported that Neymar is "fed up of living in shadow of Lionel Messi," and that his career will stagnate if such situation would continue.
According to the reports, Manchester United made contact with La Liga Officials allegedly offering £139 million for Neyamar's service. However, the bid of Man Utd was greeted with a reply from Barcelona saying that "Neymar has a contract and is not for sale."
Despite the firm decision of FC Barcelona regarding the possible deals for Neymar, a Spanish newspaper Don Balon, claimed that Neymar would consider the idea of transferring, especially that it was rumored that he is really interested of winning the Ballon d'Or, which according to some critics is impossible for him to achieve while Messi is within the roster of Barcelona.
Still like any other rumors and speculations coming from the sidelines, we would just have to wait for this tug-of-war to flourish. But if indeed true, seeing Messi and Neymar having different jerseys would surely be exciting.
