According to Marcelo Bechler, Lionel Messi has told FC Barcelona that he wants to leave the club this summer.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand recently said that the FC Barcelona superstar may consider leaving the club following the 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Friday. It turns out that Ferdinand was right.

Barça conceded four goals in either half, as Bayern Munich absolutely destroyed. That poor effort, along with recent disappointing exits in the UEFA Champions League and failing to win La Liga in 2020 all ended up convincing Messi that it’s time to move on from FC Barcelona.

Per reports, Manchester City could be in pole position to make a stunning swoop for Messi. The Daily Mirror explained that Manchester City is ready to do “whatever it takes” to bring Messi to the team and reunite him with Pep Guardiola.

Lionel Messi had a clause in his FC Barcelona contract that would have allowed him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the summer.

The clause expired at the end of May though, and Messi’s current buyout clause with FC Barcelona stands at an astonishing £635 million.

Brazilian legend and former FC Barcelona star Rivaldo suggested in July that Messi would be tempted to reunite with Guardiola at Manchester City.

“If he is considering leaving the club, then something mustn’t be good in the Barcelona dressing room and perhaps he is tired with all the constant problems that have surrounded the club in the last few months,” Rivaldo said.