Cancelo explains Man City stance on Messi reuniting with Pep Guardiola

Lionel Messi would have a “great season” at the Etihad were he to join Manchester City according to Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese international has spent a season on the blue half of Manchester and could soon be joined by the Argentine.

Messi has expressed his desire to quit Barcelona after almost two decades in Catalunya.

City are seen as his most likely destination because it would give him a chance to play under Pep Guardiola once again.

They are also one of the few teams who can afford his mammoth wages but Cancelo foresees only good things if the move happens.

“He’s a great player, I won’t say that he’s not,” he told RTP.

“In a team like Manchester City, of course, also with great players on his side, he’d have a great season.”

Messi will cost City £632m as per his release clause which must be honoured following a ruling from La Liga.

That would smash the world transfer record that is currently held by Neymar.

One player who has been linked with a move the other way is Eric Garcia who has indicated his want to return to Spain.

He is highly thought of by Guardiola but was coy on the chances of Messi making the move to the Premier League.

“At Man City we have not talked about Messi coming, but everyone would like to have Messi in their team,” he said earlier this week.

“On the Messi issue, it’s something between clubs that I can’t get into.

“I am going to avoid the question if he would be a good signing for City because he is a Barca player and I’m not going to comment on it.”