Messi as Red Devil? Don’t laugh

It is not inconceivable that Lionel Messi will one day wear the red of Manchester United.

But while I would not go buying a No 10 jersey with his name on it just yet — it is certainly not happening this month — it is not total fantasy to imagine the little Argentinian playing his home games at the Theatre of Dreams.

If the four-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to quit Barcelona (and there are grounds to suspect he is not loving it like he used to) then where else could he go? There is the world’s richest club — Real Madrid. Unlikely.

A reunion with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich could be on the cards, but how long is his former boss going to stay in Germany, and is the Bundesliga appealing enough?

New money giants Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris St-Germain are worth a mention, but UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules would probably scupper their attempts to buy and pay the 27-year-old genius.

This leaves Manchester United, the second-wealthiest club on the planet with yearly revenues of €518 million (S$798 million), and they can legitimately afford him.

Living in a grey, often rainy, city would not be especially enticing for Messi, but could the Argentine megastar resist the temptation to experience the world’s most exciting league and better Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy at United? With a target of 118 goals to beat, even if it was only out of spite, I wonder if he might just relish the challenge.

I would say the Red Devils — which were to play Cambridge in the 4th round of the FA Cup this morning — are in pole position to sign Messi if he truly wants to leave the Camp Nou in the next couple of years.

Contrary to reports, any potential transfer would not be funded by the club’s kit manufacturers, adidas. Well, not directly, anyway. While it is true the German sportswear company is paying United £75 million (S$151 million) a year for the next 10 years, manager Louis van Gaal and the board would never permit an outside party to have an influence on new recruits.

The modern game may be consumed by corporate greed and the thirst to gobble up as much cash as you can possibly consume, but player recruitment remains sacrosanct. It would all be done above board. Allowing a sponsor to openly facilitate and subsidise a deal such as this would bring both parties into disrepute.

Also, how would Real Madrid, Chelsea and other adidas clients feel about seeing their kit-maker give United a leg-up? They have no option but to stay out of it. So, if United want to fund the deal, they will have to do it themselves.

As exciting as that is, Gareth Bale seems a more realistic target, especially with David de Gea keen on joining Real Madrid.

If you confidentially asked Bale which club he saw himself at next, I think he would say United. In turn, de Gea would tell you he fancies Real Madrid. Bale’s childhood hero also happens to be Ryan Giggs, United’s assistant manager.

I find it hard to believe that Van Gaal’s sidekick has not been in the ear of his compatriot already, urging him to choose United once his time in Spain ends. Man to man, they would have talked and the humble wide man would always listen intently to anything Giggs had to say.

With fans screaming for a return to fast, attacking football, the prospect of Bale and Angel Di Maria on the wings would certainly get the juices flowing at Old Trafford. However, a survey by the Manchester United Supporters Trust this week showed 99 per cent are against selling de Gea, who is in sensational form, to Real Madrid.

That said, the arrival of Victor Valdes does have the look of a “back-up plan” should de Gea push for a return to his homeland. A swap-plus-cash deal involving Bale may conveniently pacify those discontented fans. From Real’s perspective, the acquisition of one of the world’s greatest shot stoppers plus £50 million or so seems good business.

Another star linked with United is PSG’s Edinson Cavani, who wants to quit the Parisians.

But I do not see why Van Gaal would trade Radamel Falcao for the occasionally brilliant but moody Cavani. Okay, his Colombian loanee has not set the Premier League alight this season, but once the Red Devils click into top gear (which cannot be that far away), I foresee Falcao snaffling a hatful.

If Falcao and Cavani took part in a finishing competition, I would be staking a sizeable amount on the Colombian prevailing. Right now it seems extortionate, but by end-May, the £43.5 million buy-out may not seem such a stumbling block.

So there you have it; three fantastic players and three intriguing deals to discuss. These are the kind of stories the silly season is made for.

If United are sensible this month they will put those lofty plans to one side and focus their attention on signing a couple of top-class defenders — such as Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, whom they have been linked with — which is what Van Gaal’s team really needs.

But when you are as big and powerful as United are, no one is off limits. The link between Messi and Manchester United is not necessarily pie in the sky. And if I were a Red Devils fan, I would dare to dream.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adrian Clarke, TODAY’s EPL analyst, is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of English football. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for many publications around the world.