Manchester City target Lionel Messi did not avail himself for pre-season Covid-19 testing in Barcelona, reinforcing his desire to leave the Catalan giants.
The test was billed as key indicator of whether the Argentinian was serious about his desire to walk away from Camp Nou.
Those present for the tests included Luis Suarez, who is now also thought to be surplus to requirements and will probably also not be at Barca in the coming season.
Messi, through a fax, informed the Catalan giants that he wanted to leave the club this week, triggering a transfer saga that is likely to overshadow all other player moves in a window prolonged by Covid-19.
According to reports, Messi’s future had already up in the air after Barcelona’s humiliating defeat at the hands of eventual Champions League winners Barcelona in the quarter-finals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
“You noticed in advance that there was drama between Messi and Barcelona,” German defender Jerome Boateng told Bild.
Due to Pep Guardiola’s presence, Man City would likely be Messi’s next destination, the World Cup winner said.
“Pep and Messi have celebrated great successes together, which is why both sides know that their philosophies would fit together.”