Went to Paris instead of Welcome to Messi Manchester

[Harry Dowd scored]

I said it above, I think we got some good PR out of this, even if I am certain still there might be a twist to this.
Let’s see who is coming next week.

Not sure about this mate, can see headlines like - Messi snubs City - City made to look fools by Messi - which has some truth to it, I think Messi has fucked us and wiped his dick on our shirt lap, do not want him anywhere near City

[PrezIke]

More bollox stories he's staying again today.

Fans just need to stop reacting to everything that comes out on Twitter or whatever.

Barca are ridiculous, that's for sure, and this is damaging them causing fans to choose between them and Messi.

Very messed up.

[PrezIke]

Genuine question... is anyone actually arsed it's not gone through? I for one think it would have been great commercially but couldn't really care less.

Focus on what we actually need and I've no doubt we will tear it up next season on all fronts

So adding the arguably the greatest player of all time, even at 33, who is also a better goal scorer than our greatest, and would get to see them both as mates play together, alongside with the insane passes of KDB and all of our talent when we have had massive issues with missed chances undermining us constantly means it's for commercial reasons mostly?

He'd transform us into an insane attacking side that could even mask defensive problems due to its potency.

If he doesn't come we'll be fine, but look at his statistics here from just last season in La Liga you can see he's above average in every attacking area:

https://understat.com/player/2097

Click the box for 2019-20 to see this;

It's like having De Bruyne and Aguero (I compared their stats as well) at slightly watered down levels for some of their key strengths, but then even better in other areas.

In terms of assists his xA is almost identical to Kev's so that will create more chances for other players. He had 20 assists this season plus 25 goals.

None of our players are like that.

That won't help us?

[PeterParker]

I said it above, I think we got some good PR out of this, even if I am certain still there might be a twist to this.
Let’s see who is coming next week.

Not sure about this mate, can see headlines like - Messi snubs City - City made to look fools by Messi - which has some truth to it, I think Messi has fucked us and wiped his dick on our shirt lap, do not want him anywhere near City

I don't think he snubbed us, in any way. I think he fucked up with his contract and Bartomeu knew that, that is why he is backing up.
I think for every fan and journo that has even a brain cell, it is clear as day that he wanted to move on from Barca and come here.
That is a sign of how far we progressed. Of course the cunt media might try to spin this, but it is out there.

[Wooders]

The press are already reporting he has “snubbed” us - whatever

[Harry Dowd scored]

The press are already reporting he has “snubbed” us - whatever

Not surprised by this at all, the snub feed the ant city narrative

[zuricity]

This is not over - get ready for a last day transfer deal. Let's see how they they start the season.

[PrezIke]

Oh wow I did not see the interview! Oh well!

Well, my worst case scenario was always he'll come on a free next summer.

Hardly a bad signing if he does if he can still play at even below his current level.

[Mase]

Hope Ed rushes off his line against them in the Champions League and takes the midgets head clean off.

[Dunnylad]

Expect the #FreeMessi hashtag to overtake the #FreeBritney one

[Mase]

He’s staying because his kid cried to him and said he didn’t want to go. Absolute fuckin loser.

[Plain Speaking]

And City would have forked out 100 million for an amicable outcome this year. That’s gone now. If he doesn’t extend which looks very unlikely it’s a bad deal for Barca. I don’t blame Messi. After all he’s achieved at Barca he didn’t want to get involved in a Court case against the Club. His vigorous attack on Bartomeu means the President doesn’t come out of this well. If we get Koulibaly and Aouar it’s a bloody good window imo.

I am not sure, we could have complied with FFP even at £100m transfer feee with his astronomic wages unless we sold other players? Almost all clubs are struggling with covid and the reduction of PL TV fees from China will make matters worse.
I agree with Aouar but not sure we are even in for him? I wonder prefer Upamecano to Koulibaly, KK is overpriced for me.

[zuricity]

And City would have forked out 100 million for an amicable outcome this year. That’s gone now. If he doesn’t extend which looks very unlikely it’s a bad deal for Barca. I don’t blame Messi. After all he’s achieved at Barca he didn’t want to get involved in a Court case against the Club. His vigorous attack on Bartomeu means the President doesn’t come out of this well. If we get Koulibaly and Aouar it’s a bloody good window imo.

I am not sure, we could have complied with FFP even at £100m transfer feee with his astronomic wages unless we sold other players? Almost all clubs are struggling with covid and the reduction of PL TV fees from China will make matters worse.
I agree with Aouar but not sure we are even in for him? I wonder prefer Upamecano to Koulibaly, KK is overpriced for me.

FFP is dead, Long live FFP.

[Saul Goodman]

He’s staying because his kid cried to him and said he didn’t want to go. Absolute fuckin loser.

Yup. Thats it. Thats why.

[Crossie]

What fucks me off the most is that we’ve been distracted by this from signing those other players, most of whom are going to Chelsea. Fucking had enough of Pep and the Barca love fest. Go back, they are finished. Messi and fuck off and rot too, 3 times he’s used us, I don’t want someone here who disrespects is so many times the thinks he can come here at 34 and we drop everything again.

Move on, buy a fucking striker and centre back and put Foden in. He can be as good anyway.

[FA cup winners 2006]

Still think he is calling their bluff.

If Messi is on £1mill a week net then Koeman and Bartomeu need him gone this summer. If he stays, he will continue to control the squad and you certainly dont drop him and if he plays like the cl final, then what is the point. Messi is clearly saying that the president has gone back on his word and that is clear going by the interview Bartomeu gave a couple of years ago. Messi would cost Barca over 100mill for the year, still leave for free, Barca will win nothing next year, koeman and bartomeu will get the blame.

I think Bartomeu wanted Messi to be the villain and push through the transfer so he doesn't get the blame. That has backfired now. There is no way he goes into the season with this Messi at Barca

[zuricity]

What fucks me off the most is that we’ve been distracted by this from signing those other players, most of whom are going to Chelsea. Fucking had enough of Pep and the Barca love fest. Go back, they are finished. Messi and fuck off and rot too, 3 times he’s used us, I don’t want someone here who disrespects is so many times the thinks he can come here at 34 and we drop everything again.

Move on, buy a fucking striker and centre back and put Foden in. He can be as good anyway.

Chelsea have bought average German players , at exorbitant prices. They won't know what hits them this season , this isn't the Bundesliga.

[Grandad Rosler]

Genuine question... is anyone actually arsed it's not gone through? I for one think it would have been great commercially but couldn't really care less.

Focus on what we actually need and I've no doubt we will tear it up next season on all fronts

So adding the arguably the greatest player of all time, even at 33, who is also a better goal scorer than our greatest, and would get to see them both as mates play together, alongside with the insane passes of KDB and all of our talent when we have had massive issues with missed chances undermining us constantly means it's for commercial reasons mostly?

He'd transform us into an insane attacking side that could even mask defensive problems due to its potency.

If he doesn't come we'll be fine, but look at his statistics here from just last season in La Liga you can see he's above average in every attacking area:

https://understat.com/player/2097

Click the box for 2019-20 to see this;

It's like having De Bruyne and Aguero (I compared their stats as well) at slightly watered down levels for some of their key strengths, but then even better in other areas.

In terms of assists his xA is almost identical to Kev's so that will create more chances for other players. He had 20 assists this season plus 25 goals.

None of our players are like that.

That won't help us?

Great points well made, but just said I wasn't arsed which is still the case.

No doubt he would have been a fantastic addition and given us extra creativity to an already fantastic midfield / attack, but he's not what we desperately needed imo. Focus now on further suring up at the back and we are onto a winner

[carl_feedthegoat]

Genuine question... is anyone actually arsed it's not gone through? I for one think it would have been great commercially but couldn't really care less.

Focus on what we actually need and I've no doubt we will tear it up next season on all fronts

So adding the arguably the greatest player of all time, even at 33, who is also a better goal scorer than our greatest, and would get to see them both as mates play together, alongside with the insane passes of KDB and all of our talent when we have had massive issues with missed chances undermining us constantly means it's for commercial reasons mostly?

He'd transform us into an insane attacking side that could even mask defensive problems due to its potency.

If he doesn't come we'll be fine, but look at his statistics here from just last season in La Liga you can see he's above average in every attacking area:

https://understat.com/player/2097

Click the box for 2019-20 to see this;

It's like having De Bruyne and Aguero (I compared their stats as well) at slightly watered down levels for some of their key strengths, but then even better in other areas.

In terms of assists his xA is almost identical to Kev's so that will create more chances for other players. He had 20 assists this season plus 25 goals.

None of our players are like that.

That won't help us?

Great points well made, but just said I wasn't arsed which is still the case.

No doubt he would have been a fantastic addition and given us extra creativity to an already fantastic midfield / attack, but he's not what we desperately needed imo. Focus now on further suring up at the back and we are onto a winner

We are Europe's top scorers and our problems are ONLY in defense, so yes, your right , we don't need Messi at all..it was for marketing purposes more than anything.

Lets get back to getting rid of that cunt Mendy and then Stones and Otto......once we have a decent defender we will be fine. Ake was a great buy BTW.

[Wooders]

What fucks me off the most is that we’ve been distracted by this from signing those other players, most of whom are going to Chelsea. Fucking had enough of Pep and the Barca love fest. Go back, they are finished. Messi and fuck off and rot too, 3 times he’s used us, I don’t want someone here who disrespects is so many times the thinks he can come here at 34 and we drop everything again.

Move on, buy a fucking striker and centre back and put Foden in. He can be as good anyway.

There is no evidence to suggest he this has derailed our other transfer plans, 2 of which are over the line, we are not willing to deal with Napoli directly but I do think kk will be ours before the season starts - for reasons only known to pep and the board, we have not been linked with a striker even before the messi nonsense - so I don’t think this is a position that would have been filled this summer regardless