Liverpool are a genuine contender to sign Lionel Messi this summer, but a romantic move to Leeds United won’t happen, the Independent suggest.
Messi has shocked the footballing world by asking for a move away from Barcelona, and clubs across the globe are now scrambling to see whether a deal could be possible.
Liverpool are now listed as one of nine clubs who could actually pull off a deal for arguably the greatest player of all time, and it is said that they ‘may investigate’ a deal.
The Independent say that Messi will have to pick between Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, Internazionale and Real Madrid, if he does move on.
Leeds has also been touted as a potential destination by some, due to Messi’s connection with Marcelo Bielsa.
But Messi’s desire to move on from Barca is fuelled by his ambition to win the Champions League, which rules Leeds out.
The report also has a warning for Liverpool, as they suggest that any deal could be hugely difficult for them, due to their budgetary restrictions.
But even the remote suggestion that a move to Anfield is possible for Messi is sure to set pulses racing on Merseyside.
The transfer looks highly unlikely, given the fact that Liverpool have struggled to even afford Thiago’s transfer fee.
But the revenues that Messi would make Liverpool could offset his wage demands, and his quality on the pitch would surely take Jurgen Klopp’s side to new heights if he was to join.
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