Manchester City will be in a position to sign Lionel Messi if the opportunity presents itself next season, the English Premier League (EPL) club’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Omar Berrada, says.
Manchester City were the frontrunners to land Messi’s services after the Argentine handed FC Barcelona an official notice in August of his desire to terminate his contract.
However, the six-times world player of the year eventually decided to stay in Spain for the coming season, the last on his current deal.
The 33-year-old did not want to face a legal battle with the club he joined as a teenager and with whom he has amassed more than 30 major trophies.
“He’s the best player in the world. He’s the best player of his generation’’, Berrada said.
‘’I think any club in the world will like to explore the possibility of him joining their team.
‘’He’s probably an exception to potential investments that we’d do… but our planning has been done with this current squad and it is being considered with the current opportunities that we have.
“For every single position, we have to be prepared because there can be so many things that can happen.
“But, at the same time, I think we have the financial strength and system ability to make that investment when required.”
