Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona for Manchester City: What are the odds?

Is it possible for Messi to have an outing at Etihad before hanging his boots?  (Photo | AFP)

Let's start with the obvious. Manchester City can afford to bring Lionel Messi on board. With a family fortune worth at least $1 trillion, City's Sheikh Mansour is the second wealthiest owner in Premier League.

How is the information different from the umpteen transfer rumours out there? This is why: Roy Nemer, owner of Argentine news portal 'Mundo Albiceleste' had earlier said on Twitter that the news was based on reliable information.

Under the current scenario, two factors could work in favour of Manchester City. (Photo | AP)

The English side's current manager Pep Guardiola is a mentor figure to Messi, who had a highly successful stint with Barcelona in the early years of this decade. Pep's Barca was considered one of the best teams in the history of the game and Messi was a crucial part of all the golden-run that lasted four years. (Photo | AFP)

Just like Juventus' global appeal increased after signing Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no doubt that Manchester City's brand value will skyrocket if they manage to land the Argentine skipper. This could mull the former English champions to 'spend big' on the superstar. (Photo | AP)

Despite their talismanic captain remaining the 'X factor', Barcelona have become rusty. They are set to enter a period of transition. Its old guard comprising of Suarez, Rakitic, Pique and the like are slowly losing their sharpness and Messi's one-man show had to save the day at many times. Why should he tolerate the extra-burden to keep the club afloat at the final of years of his career when there is a better opportunity at his doorsteps? (Photo | AP)

A fallout with Barcelona technical secretary Eric Abidal, who is also a former teammate of his, is another factor that keeps him unsettled at Nou Camp. Frenchman Abidal had told a media that some members of the squad weren't performing up to expectations under former coach Ernesto Valverde. Obviously, captain Messi was unimpressed by the statements who challenged him to either name the players or keep his mouth closed. (Photo | AFP)