Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona – where could Messi go next and which club is the bookies favourite?

Lionel Messi has made it official that he would like to leave his current club, Barcelona.

In a burofax which was sent to Barcelona’s board on Tuesday, the 33-year-old stated his desire to leave, exercising a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Camp Nou for free this summer.

While the financial aspects have yet to be confirmed – with Barcelona arguing that the clause in Messi’s contract expired on June 10 and insist that the Argentine can only leave if his €700 million (£629m) buyout fee is paid – speculation is already rife on where the star player will choose to move to.

Metro.co.uk reached out to Coral to find out the latest betting odds on Messi’s next club…

Odds on Messi’s next club

5/2 Manchester City

Manchester City are the current favourite with bookmakers John Hill, which could largely be down to Messi reportedly making it known that he wants to join the Blues.

Messi and Guardiola already have a strong relationship following their successful spell together at Barcelona, and the report claims that the Argentine is attracted by the prospect of joining up with his former manager at City.

3/1 Inter Milan

The Mirror reports that the former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes the club has, or very soon will, make a move to sign the player.

He is quoted as saying: ‘I imagine Inter have already tried [to sign him]. I’ve seen the Suning (Inter Milan’s financial backers) advert with the Argentine’s silhouette on the Duomo and this makes me think an initiative has already been taken.

‘If not, I think they will do so soon.’

6/1 Manchester United

If it’s true Messi is interested in Manchester, maybe he can end up down the road at rival club Manchester United.

‘The biggest movers in our betting since the news broke are Manchester United. They have yet to sign anyone this summer but United fans would forgive that inactivity if their club secured the Barcelona magician,’ said Coral’s John Hill.

Who else is a contender?