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Lionel Messi: Barcelona star wanted Man City move, Luis Suarez persuaded him to stay
LIONEL MESSI asked to join Manchester City last summer, but was persuaded to stay at the Nou Camp by his Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, according to reports in Spain.
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Barcelona have held talks with Messi over a new deal, although nothing concrete has been signed.
The 29-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of next season and his release clause could soar to £348million should he pen an extension.
Pep Guardiola is keen to reunite with Messi at the Etihad, who he worked with at Barcelona, although any deal would be riddled with complications.
And according to Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo, Messi came quite close to joining City last summer.
Lionel Messi could have joined Manchester City last summer
After that he can go to China or US, but now I think he will stay in Barcelona
The Argentine, the report says, was determined to leave Spain, although City weren’t able to meet his buyout clause.
Mundo Deportivo say Messi dined a few times with his team-mate Suarez and the Uruguayan persuaded him to stay at the Nou Camp.
Suarez was supposedly very persuasive and the pair spoke at great length before Messi made his decision.
Luis Suarez convinced Lionel Messi to stay at Barcelona
City chief Ferran Soriano recently conceded defeat in trying to strike a deal for the Barca superstar, as he said: “I know Messi very well. He and his family are my good friends.
“At least next year, maybe he can finish that career.
"After that he can go to China or US, but now I think he will stay in Barcelona.”
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