Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Confident of Lionel Messi Finances

Manchester United have a financial structure in place which could facilitate the unlikely acquisition of Lionel Messi, should the Barcelona man ever opt to represent another European side.

Jamie Jackson of The Guardian believes Messi's recent comments—in which he noted he doesn't know where he will be playing next year—has alerted United to the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford.

Chelsea and Manchester City continue to be linked with the Argentinian, but Jackson believes "United are the only English club that could afford to buy Messi" and claims the Red Devils "would be confident that Messi’s signing would be financially successful."

While Chelsea, City and Paris Saint-Germain are among those capable of meeting the player's £200 million buyout fee, UEFA's financial fair play rules ensure the trio of clubs would struggle to make ends meet.

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"This is not the case at United, where Louis van Gaal has been assured there is no limit on the transfer budget," writes Jackson.

The 2014 Ballon d'Or runner-up continues to have his every word scrutinised after wide-reaching news suggested he has fallen out with Barca manager Luis Enrique. Messi called such stories "lies," per BBC Sport, but caused further speculation during Monday's gala which saw Cristiano Ronaldo named the best player in the world for the second consecutive year.

Messi's comments were reported by Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC: "I'm not sure where I'll be next year. I've always said that I'd like to finish my career at Barcelona, play at Newell's (Old Boys), but as Cristiano just said, nobody knows what the future holds—and much less so in the case of the football world, where everything can change overnight."

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However, Messi then clarified his words after the ceremony, a process which appears to be frustrating the 27-year-old, who believes people are reading too much into his every word. Delaney provided the quotes:

"

It's just a way of speaking. People ask if I'm going to play for Barca or Newell's [in Argentina], to return to Newell's one day. To return to Argentina one day, there's a long way to go. It was just a way of talking. 

I always say the same thing, I always clarified it. The truth is you get tired of having to clarify everything you say.

"

It's obvious a move for Messi remains unlikely. Even so, it's interesting to break down exactly which teams could make a realistic bid for the four-time Ballon d'Or winner. Jackson's assertion falls in line with research offered by Rob Wilson of Sheffield Hallam University, who suggests only United and Real Madrid can realistically afford the player (h/t Simon Stone of BBC Sport).

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"With the revenue they generate and cash reserves, only United and Real Madrid could pay the fee," said Wilson, per Stone, who indicates even these two may struggle. "With salary costs probably even they couldn't stay within FFP."

Messi would risk the wrath of Barca supporters if he opted to join Madrid in such a situation, so United can be considered the most realistic choice if a stunning move were to be initiated. The side recently signed a £750 million kit deal with Adidas, which sees £75 million brought in to the club each year for the next decade. These funds are likely to be key to the squad's rebuild.

Even so, former Portugal international Paulo Futre believes Madrid would try to snap Messi up just to get one over the Catalan support, reported by COPE (h/t Stefan Coerts of Goal.com):

"

I do not think Messi will ever leave Barcelona, but if he does move, it will be to join Real Madrid. 

Florentino Perez is in charge at Madrid and they have the financial resources to make it happen. 

Plus signing Messi would hugely annoy the Barcelona fans as well, like back in the days with Luis Figo.

"

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As much as speculation continues to roll on and financial justifications are made, there's the overpowering feeling that Messi will remain at Barcelona for the rest of his European career.

He has publicly stated he wishes to stay with the club "forever," reported by ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, a feeling speculative transfer rumours are unlikely to budge.

United boss Louis van Gaal is best focusing on alternative transfer targets, a selection of whom were recently discussed by Bleacher Report UK's Alex Dimond and Ryan Bailey:

Van Gaal is obviously in search of a superstar team—highlighted by the summer acquisitions of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao—but only the most optimistic United supporters will believe Messi is destined to sign with the Old Trafford club.