The experts warned that the second wave is always stronger than the first and if en summer the storm Messi shook Barça and closed in the wrong way leaving the wounds exposed, now it seems that in the winter market the perfect storm can be unleashed that can end the Argentine's departure from Barça before the end of the season.
The renewal of Pep Guardiola by Manchester City until 2023, with another optional year, thus extending his current contract that ended at the end of this season, modifies a landscape that darkens Leo's future at Barcelona.
The announcement of Guardiola's continuity came preceded by the news that from England announced a new offensive of the citizen club by Messi. An offensive that would not be limited to trying to sign the Argentine star at the end of the season when he is free, but they talk about undertaking the operation this same winter market by paying a figure to the Blaugrana club.
The newspaper The Sun spoke of an operation of between 55 and 60 million euros in which the transfer of Eric García could be included, the central formed in blaugrana grassroots football. This operation is a sporting disaster, but it would serve to repair the impoverished accounts of the Blaugrana club, which has already been warned by LaLiga that it must lower its salary bill by 43 percent for the next season.
The hypothetical exit of Messi would be a ball of oxygen for the club and without a doubt the most important decision that the next president of the entity will have to make. Barça is currently in the hands of a manager that does not have among its powers to deal with sales operations, much less the caliber that the sale of Messi would suppose at a structural level. The elections to the presidency of Barça, provided that the pandemic allows it, are scheduled for next January 24, a week after the winter market closes. An election in which Guardiola, after his renewal announcement, will not be a card that any of the candidates can play.
If the renewal of Guardiola and the critical economic situation of Barça is joined by Messi's displeasure after what happened this summer, it is clear that Barça faces a perfect storm.
The Argentine has given everything on the pitch so far this season, but no one is aware that something has been broken in the relationship with the club and it does not seem that the resignation of Bartomeu and his board has been the glue definitive to repair the crack. On Wednesday, upon his arrival in Barcelona after participating with his selection of the qualifying matches for the World Cup, he received in his private plane the visit of two tax inspectors who interrogated him for more than half an hour. His outrage was evident when he left the private flights terminal when he was asked about the words of Griezmann's uncle. “I'm sick of being the culprit of all evils”, said the Argentine.
From the surroundings of Messi they assure that all the information regarding this operation leaves England and that nobody has spoken with them. Barça has not received any firm offer either, but all the elements are lining up for a perfect storm around Messi. The second wave promises to be stronger than the first.