With his statement that he will remain at Barcelona this season, the Lionel Messi transfer saga has come to an end.
Or has it?
In a period ripe for embarrassing, high-profile U-turns, Paddy Power make it 16/1 that the Argentine wizard completes a move to Manchester City this summer after all.
In what has been as episodic a saga as the Star Wars franchise – probably – the betting has veered wildly from one extreme to another. A week ago, Messi was odds-on to be reunited with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
🚨 WORLD EXCLUSIVE 🚨
We spoke to Lionel Messi about why he felt forced to leave Barcelona, how it devastated his family and what his future looks like now 👇
— GOAL (@goal) September 4, 2020
Now, betting has been suspended on the market – and it’s odds against (5/2) that Messi doesn’t renew his contract at Barcelona next summer.
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Messi joining Man City was ridiculous, unbelievable, and yet kind of a formality in recent days.
“This twist appears to have ruled the transfer out – for this weekend, anyway.”
THE CHANGING ODDS OF A TRANSFER SAGA
Friday 28th, 2.45pm: Evens to stay at Barcelona, 8/11 to go to Man City
Sunday 30th, 10am: 13/8 to stay
2.15pm: 8/11 to stay
Thursday 3rd September, 10am: 4/6 to stay, 11/10 to go
12pm: 1/5 to stay, 10/3 to go
Friday 4th 1.30pm: 5/6 to stay, 5/6 to go
3.30pm: 1/10 to stay, 11/2 to go
5pm: Betting suspended on staying, 16/1 to go
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