You are reading a single comment by @cornelius_blackfoot and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@cornelius_blackfoot
@jaw, @>>>>>>
from the pages of the guardian for what it's worth, no mention of Bayern...
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/12/lionel-messi-manchester-united-move-barcelona
relevant bits below
United are the only English club that could afford to buy Messi, particularly if Barcelona were to demand his €250m (£195m) buyout fee in one payment, which would be likely.
Although Manchester City have explored bringing the 27-year-old from Barcelona and retain an interest in him, Uefa’s financial fair play rules mean the champions would struggle to generate enough revenue and have the requisite cash reserves to buy the four-times world player of the year.
Alongside the buyout clause is Messi’s five-year contract, agreed last May, worth £16.3m a season. When this salary is factored in, the total cost of any deal for his transfer would be in the region of an eye-watering £275m.
Real Madrid are the only club who appear able to rival United’s financial muscle – Paris Saint-Germain would also have the restrictions of FFP to consider – but it seems inconceivable Messi would end up at Barcelona’s fiercest rival.
United’s record £750m, 10-year kit deal with Adidas starts next season, meaning the club can expect £75m a season from that contract alone