Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has spoken out and given his prediction on where world number-one Lionel Messi may end up next season in light of his shock transfer request from Barcelona.
Messi, 33, shocked the world by handing in a transfer request after his side’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to last season’s eventual Champions League winners Bayern Munich, as per Sky Sports.
The world-class Argentinian has spent 20 years with Barcelona after coming through their youth ranks to go onto score 634 goals and provide 285 assists in 731 appearances in all competitions.
However, the South American star’s future is now under severe threat as top clubs throughout Europe watch on intensely as the attacker’s firm stance of leaving the club does not look set to change.
The latest big name to weigh-in on this summer’s biggest story is former United defender turned Sky Sports pundit, Gary Neville.
Speaking on Sky Sports, as quoted by Manchester Evening News, Neville believes Messi will eventually end up staying with Barcelona but admits he would love to see him playing in the Premier League, he said: “Does he really want to leave? Maybe.
“But when push comes to shove and he’s got to meet with the president, the board and everyone else standing in his way, I think he will end up staying.
“But if he were to come to the Premier League, I think it would be to work with Pep.
“Would I want to see it? I think I would have to say yes, because the idea of watching Messi close up, something I have done over the last 10 years, really is something to behold.
“Would I want to stand in the way of every single young fan in this country having the opportunity to him at close hand when fans are back in stadiums, no I wouldn’t.
“But I just hope he doesn’t do very well for them!”
