Lionel Messi to Arsenal: Gunners fans launch crowdfund project to pay for Barcelona superstar's reported £600,000-a-week wages
Messi was linked with a move to Arsenal that would see him paid a world record £600,000-a-week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal fans have taken reports that Lionel Messi wants to a move to the Emirates with a pinch of salt, with one fan comically asking 599,999 other supporters to help pay the Barceloa maestro’s wages.
The Daily Star ran a report on Monday claiming that Messi is keen on moving to Arsenal providing they can cough up what would be a world record wage of £600,000-a-week. Given the frugal spenders that are Arsenal, fans clearly didn’t buy into this and took to Twitter to voice their humour at reading such a transfer rumour.
Messi has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp in the past, with both Manchester City and Chelsea toured as possible destinations should the unthinkable happen and Barcelona decide to sell the four-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The 28-year-old Argentina international would cost in the region of £200m should anyone wish to snap him up on a transfer, and on wages of £600,000-a-week, the Gunners would have to shell out nearly £1bn extra to pay him.
But one Arsenal fan has come up with a unique way to bay for Messi’s wages. Twitter user @matt_clarky has offered to set-up a £1 direct debit each week to Messi, and has called on his fellow Gunners to do the same.
“I'm pretty sure I could find another 599,999 other #Arsenal fans willing to set up a £1/week direct debit. #messi #afc #justdoit #thedream,” Matt Clark posted.
But he was not the only one to read the reports with a slight disbelief. Even well-known Arsenal fan Piers Morgan chipped in with his two-pence.
All that’s left now is for Messi to sign for Arsenal, secure a Premier League and Champions League double and the Gunners live happily ever after, right?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments