The soccer world was set on fire this week when Barcelona star Lionel Messi said that if he ever left his current club, he would prefer to play for Arsenal in the English Premiership.
That doesn’t mean Messi is on his way out of Spain, by any means, but it does have soccer bettors looking twice at his odds to leave Barcelona and his possible landing spot. Here’s a look at the favorites to lure in Messi which could be good sports betting picks:
Chelsea (3/1)
Even though Messi said he would lean toward Arsenal (6/1), that doesn’t mean other EPL clubs have no chance at landing the world’s most exciting player. Chelsea would have to open the wallet of owner Roman Abramovich to ink Messi, who is looking for a contract of £18m or more per year. If desperation gets the best of the Blues, who sit near the bottom of the table at 3-2-7 this season, no price tag may sway them from going after the Barca star.
Bayern Munich (3/1)
Messi did say he would like to live in London but don’t underestimate the power of winning. Bayern Munich are kings of the Bundesliga, routinely compete in Champions League play, and a move to the top German club would reunite Messi with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. The thought of Messi and Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski sharing the field is a soccer bettor’s fantasy – and a goaltender’s nightmare.
Newell’s Old Boys (3/1)
Messi doesn’t have much more to prove on the club level, so a return home to Argentina could be in the cards. He started his career with the Old Boys when he was six years old, before joining Barcelona – partially because of health issues that the La Liga club paid for treatment for. Perhaps, with 30 closing in quick, Messi gets sappy and goes back to his roots. He’s still a big fan of the Argentine club and with Newell’s Old Boys sinking in the standings, perhaps Messi will serve as their sentimental savior – because they probably can’t afford his sticker price.