The Barcelona star Lionel Messi wanted to end his 15 year stay at Barcelona to join Manchester city last summer, after he was given a suspended prison sentenced for tax fraud. Messi told Barcelona that he wanted to leave the club and join Manchester city with the old Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola's.
Manchester city were willing to pay 150million euros After speaking to club president Josep Bartomeu, Barcelona's immediate response was that they would never sell him, meaning the only chance Messi could leave was if a club paid his 250million euros (£221m) release clause.