Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Reportedly Probing Lionel Messi Move

Manchester United have reportedly made two separate inquiries into Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who is said to be unsure about his future at the club.

The suggestions come from Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail, who reported Friday the Red Devils have made "two approaches in the last three weeks" for the Argentina captain.

Crafton noted "any move is more likely to be with a view to United returning to the Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2017-18."

Messi is reportedly seeking assurances over his long-term future at Barcelona, with Crafton adding that the player is "frustrated and hurt" about the immersive media coverage of his ongoing legal case regarding his tax activities.

"On Friday, sources close to Messi refused to rule out of the possibility of a move," Crafton added.

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It would be a coup for the Red Devils, as Messi is the finest player to lace up a pair of football boots in the eyes of many. Once again, he enjoyed another trophy-laden term with the Blaugrana, helping the team to a Liga and Copa del Rey double.

As Bleacher Report UK noted, he’s formed an outstanding attacking setup with Luis Suarez and Neymar:

Messi has always seemed content with life at Barcelona, too. Having been picked up by the club’s youth academy, he blossomed as a young player, eventually becoming the key man in the most prosperous spell in the club’s history. 

If the ongoing legal dispute has changed things, that could be a big blow for Barcelona. For all the goals Suarez scored this term and the sensational early-season form of Neymar, the club’s No. 10 is still the man who makes them tick. Losing him would not only be a blow to the football club but the entire city, too.

Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez summed up the player’s importance to the team after he set up two goals for Barca in their Copa del Rey final win over Sevilla:

Per Crafton, United have previously tried to lure the biggest names in the world to Old Trafford, including Neymar, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. So it would be no surprise if the club are interested in trying to sign Messi.

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Andy Burton of Sky Sports News also reported the Red Devils are set to land Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal, so it’s clear the club have illustrious names on the agenda.

Sports journalist Liam Canning thinks it’s vital that the team has more characters in it:

It’s tough to see a move for Messi materialising, though. The 28-year-old is a deistic figure in Catalonia, with his image emblazoned all over Barcelona’s city centre as well as the Camp Nou and its surrounding area. Losing the player would be a disaster for the football club.

So if it’s up to the Blaugrana, their main man, who has a contract with the club until 2018, will not be going anywhere for many years.