United ready to land Messi on free transfer

Manchester United is reportedly one of a number of clubs interested in a shock move for Lionel Messi.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is rumoured to be unsettled at the Nou Camp – and could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

A reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has been mooted, but the reigning Premier League champions do not expect him to quit the Nou Camp.

But according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United have entered the race for the 32-year-old superstar.

Messi’s bust-up at Barcelona has come after a row with the club’s sporting director Eric Abidal.

It is understood that the Argentine was frustrated with his former team-mate’s general criticism of the squad in Ernesto Valverde’s final weeks at the club.

He took to social media to reply, writing: “Those in charge of sporting direction should also face up to their responsibilities and above all take charge of their own decisions.

“When you talk about players you should give names, otherwise you are tainting everyone’s name and feeding rumours which are not true.”

Barcelona chiefs decided to sack Valverde last month despite the team sitting top of the LaLiga table.

And since successor Quique Setien has taken over, the Catalan giants have slipped to second behind Real Madrid.

There are still 18 months left on Messi’s contract at the Nou Camp, which pays him a staggering £1million a week, but the deal involves a sensational clause that allows him to leave for nothing in the summer.

This, coupled with his public Barca bust-up, has alerted top clubs around Europe.

As well as both Manchester clubs, Inter Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are all eyeing the situation with interest.

Despite Messi’s apparent unhappiness, he has still delivered in typical fashion this season – netting 19 goals and laying on a further 12 for his team-mates in 24 appearances. – MirrorOnline