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Transfers

Lionel Messi Leaves Barcelona: Ranking the 4 Clubs Who Are Favourites to Sign the Striker

Arjun Singh Devgan
Lionel Messi has been linked with moves to PSG, Manchester City after leaving Barcelona
Lionel Messi has been linked with moves to PSG, Manchester City after leaving Barcelona / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
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Barcelona dropped a bombshell on Thursday when they revealed that footballing superstar, Lionel Messi would be leaving the club as they were unable to offer him a new contract due to LaLiga regulations.

This has meant that the record six-time Ballon d'Or award winner is a free agent and would be available in the summer transfer window. Here, we rank five clubs who are the favourites to sign the 34-year-old.

1. Paris Saint-Germain

PSG v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League
PSG v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League / Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germain were understood to be interested in signing Messi in the past and according to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano - the French giants have already contacted the player representatives over a move.

The likes of Neymar and Angel Di Maria have revealed their desire to play alongside the 34-year-old at the French capital, and the presence of a number of his friends at the club - makes them the favourites to land the superstar.

2. Manchester City

FBL-EUR-C1-GER-ESP-BAYERN-BARCELONA
FBL-EUR-C1-GER-ESP-BAYERN-BARCELONA / ODD ANDERSEN/Getty Images

Manchester City are among the top two favourites despite spending £100million to sign Jack Grealish in the transfer window so far. The Premier League champions have been repeatedly linked with the striker, and the fact that Pep Guardiola is the manager, might just tip the scales in their favour.

Like PSG, they are among the minority who would be able to afford the massive wages that Messi would command.

3. Major League Soccer (MLS)

Lionel Messi
International Champions Cup 2017 - Real Madrid v FC Barcelona / Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Messi might just decide to move to the United States of America, considering that he expressed a desire to play in the country in the past. Inter Miami which is co-owned by David Beckham, have made it known that they are extremely keen to lure the superstar to the continent in the near future.

4. Newell's Old Boys

Newell's Old Boys v River Plate - Superliga 2019/20
Newell's Old Boys v River Plate - Superliga 2019/20 / Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images

Messi in the past has also expressed a desire to end his career with his boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys - and the Argentinian outfit too want their favourite son to return back.

Newell's Old Boys have on a number of occasions taken to social media to express their desire to see the superstar play in their shirt once again.

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