Is this the summer that Lionel Messi finally leaves Barcelona?

Almost every summer, there are suggestions that the Argentine will leave Camp Nou and experience a new challenge before hanging up his legendary boots.

Usually, there is very little substance to the rumours and it always ends one way - him staying at the club he joined as a 14-year-old.

However, this time around, it seems genuine.

Barca were humiliated in their Champions League quarter-final as they were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich. It meant the club finished the campaign trophyless.

The silence from Messi and his entourage is deafening among all the reports suggesting he wants to leave the club this summer.

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But which clubs have got the money to sign a 33-year-old, who is picking up more than half a million pounds every week in wages?

There are very few sides in the world who can even think about pulling off a deal to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

But one of those clubs appears to be Manchester United. No, seriously.

Well, that’s according to Spanish outlet Deportes Cuatro anyway.

They’ve produced a report claiming United have approached Messi as they begin efforts to sign him.

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The report goes on to claim that the Red Devils are “best located” to sign Messi this summer and they have the financial capacity to pay him what he wants.

Messi at Old Trafford next season? We simply can’t see it.

Firstly, would Messi really be interested in leaving Barca for a club who finished 33 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League last season? A club who has gone three seasons without a trophy and certainly won’t be challenging for the Champions League in 2020/21.

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No chance.

And despite Messi being arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game, would United refuse to pay €110 million for 20-year-old Jadon Sancho only to go and break the bank to purchase an ageing Messi?

It's believed Messi has a £630m release clause and that Barca will only allow him to leave this summer for that amount.

File this one under 'a load of rubbish.'