Football:L ‘City accidentally bid for Messi’

Former Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook revealed how the club once accidently bid £30 million for Messi.

Former Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook revealed how the club once accidently bid £30 million for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, according to ESPN. Cook, who left his post at the club last September, made the revelation in a new book talking about the history of the club with the author. The offer for Messi was made following a communication breakdown between club officials as Sheikh Mansour completed his £210 million takeover in August 2008. “He [an executive] made a comment like, ‘It’s all getting messy’,” said Cook. “Via the telephones and other communication lines, this somehow translated into, ‘Get Messi.’ An offer was made for Lionel Messi of about £30 million. Needless to say, it was rejected.” City instead signed Brazilian playmaker Robinho from Real Madrid for £32 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2012.