Sergio Aguero removes No.10 from Instagram handle, mutes Messi’s name from Twitch live chat

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on Saturday added fuel to fire by removing the number 10 from his Instagram username and muted the words ‘Messi’, ‘Leo’ and ‘GOAT’ from his Twitch live stream chat.

Messi is trying to force a move after 20 years with Barcelona, which wants to hold him to a contract that runs through June 2021.

Rumours of Lionel Messi’s potential move to Manchester City has been doing the rounds since the Argentine legend made his decision to leave Barcelona. City are currently the favourites to sign Messi, who has won every major title with FC Barcelona.

Football fans in Argentina are getting excited at the prospect of a mouth-watering reunion between former Barca manager Pep Guardiola and Messi at Manchester City. It would also mean that Messi would be playing along side his Argentina teammate Ageuro at the club.

Aguero added to the speculation by removing the number 10 from his username on Instagram. Messi wears the no.10 jersey at Barcelona while Aguero wears no.10 at City. But Augero changing his name from ‘kunaguero10’ to ‘kunaguero’.

Aguero then had to ban the words Messi, Leo and GOAT during a live chat with fans and journalists who were asking him questions about the six-time Ballon d’Or-winner’s future.

It is also being reported in Spanish media that Messi is planning to speak with Guardiola to help hasten a move to England.

However, Barcelona vowed not to let go of their prize asset for nothing and a Spanish sports lawyer warned any move could involve considerable legal wrangling over Messi’s contract with the Catalan club.

Barcelona have a release clause demanding a 700 million euros ($827 million) transfer fee for Messi, who has a reported 100 million euros ($118 million) annual salary package.

The 33-year-old Argentina star wants out of the rebuilding project at Barca after a rare trophy-less season. Messi believes he should be allowed to leave for nothing. A clause in his contract set a June 10 deadline for him to request a free transfer — intended to be after the season ended.