The potential transfer of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) could have indirect implications for Arsenal’s transfer plans. The report suggests that Messi’s move to Miami could impact Barcelona’s ability to sign other players, including targets that Arsenal has been linked with.
Barcelona, facing financial difficulties, had shown interest in signing Manchester City duo Joao Cancelo and Ilkay Gundogan, who have also been linked with Arsenal. If Barcelona misses out on signing Messi, it would potentially free up salary space for them to pursue other targets, such as Cancelo and Gundogan.
Joao Cancelo, a talented fullback, had a falling out with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Bayern Munich. Recent reports have linked Cancelo with both Arsenal and Barcelona, suggesting that he may not have a future at Manchester City.
Ilkay Gundogan, on the other hand, is approaching the final weeks of his contract with Manchester City. If he doesn’t agree on a new deal, he would be available on a free transfer. While there were rumors of Gundogan signing a new contract with City, his agent denied them and stated that no agreement has been reached with any club.
In summary, if Messi joins Inter Miami instead of returning to Barcelona, it could potentially affect Barcelona’s ability to sign players like Cancelo and Gundogan. This, in turn, could impact Arsenal’s transfer plans if they were considering moves for these players. However, it’s important to note that transfer plans can be fluid, and the situation may change as negotiations and player decisions unfold.
