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Lionel Messi: Manchester City watching Barcelona exit attempt with interest

Man Utd could afford a deal for Messi but remain focused on No 1 target Jadon Sancho

Lionel Messi equalised for Barcelona at home to Osasuna on Thursday
Image: Could Pep Guardiola be reunited with Lionel Messi at Manchester City?

Manchester City are watching Lionel Messi's attempt to leave Barcelona this summer with interest but remain unconvinced the Argentina forward will quit the Nou Camp.

Barcelona have confirmed Messi sent a document expressing his desire to activate a release clause that would end his contract - which currently runs until June 2021 - and allow him to leave for free this summer.

Pep Guardiola during his time at Barcelona speaking to Lionel Messi
Image: Messi won four Balon d'Or crowns, three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues under Guardiola at Barcelona

Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Inter Milan are thought to be the clubs most likely to sign Messi if he becomes available, with City's Barcelona connections arguably making the Etihad Stadium Messi's likeliest destination if he does become available.

Messi played under City manager Pep Guardiola at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012, winning the Ballon d'Or four times, La Liga three times and the Champions League twice.

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Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill has the latest from Barcelona on the whereabouts of Lionel Messi and what next for the Argentine

"The information I have is that he would be happy to play there but that does not mean he will go there. What we're hearing is that as far as City are concerned, there is still a good chance that he will remain at Barcelona this summer," Kaveh Solhekol told Sky Sports News' Transfer Show.

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The Transfer Show discuss Messi's situation at Barcelona and whether he could move to another club or is it a power play?

"Many people think he could still become a City player simply because of the connections he has with people who are at City now - with the manager Pep Guardiola, the director of football Txiki Begiristain and the chief executive Ferran Soriano.

"These are all people he worked with at Barcelona and significantly City with their backing, have the finances to do a deal.

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"The feeling at City is that this is a power play between the player and the president at Barcelona. It's safe to say that City are taking an interest in what's happening and are watching the developments."

Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi enjoyed huge success together
Image: Pep Guardiola and Messi enjoyed huge success together

Messi was pictured in Barcelona on Wednesday night by Spanish TV station El Chiringuito after a dinner with team-mate Luis Suarez, following reports the Argentine's transfer request was linked to Koeman's decision to put the Uruguay striker on the market.

While Premier League champions Liverpool have ruled out a bid for the Messi, and big-spending Chelsea have already recruited Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell for substantial sums ahead of anticipated moves for Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz, Manchester United appear to be the only other English club capable of recruiting Messi.

"Our information is that their number one target remains Jadon Sancho, but Manchester United do have the finances to be able to do a deal," Dharmesh Sheth reported.

"It's quite interesting because the Glazer family who own the club also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just a few months ago, they put a deal together to sign Tom Brady - the NFL equivalent of Messi - so they have the finances to do a deal."

Watch the Transfer Show on Sky Sports News at 5pm and 7pm every weekday

Lionel Messi transfers rumours

Will Messi leave Barcelona? And if so, where will he go? We round up the very latest news and press rumours on the Argentine's future.

Which club is best-placed to sign Messi?

A reunion with Guardiola at Man City? A link-up with Neymar and Mbappe at PSG? Inter Milan? Or a fantasy football switch to Juventus to play with Ronaldo?

The cost, of course, would be enormous - even if there is no transfer fee involved - but the rewards could also be huge.

Here, we look at the clubs in contention of pulling off this unexpected mega deal…

Insight: Messi's contract situation explained

How can Messi leave Barcelona on a free? We take an in-depth look at the Argentine's contract situation at the Nou Camp.

Tuesday's stunning announcement has left the world of football in frenzy, but how did we get here and what's the likelihood of Messi actually parting company with Barca?

    With the help of Sky Sports News reporters and Spanish football experts, we delve into the inner legal workings of Messi's Barcelona contract, the narrative underlining his transfer request and whether there is a club in world football who could pull off what would be the signing of the century.

    How would Messi do in the Premier League?

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    La Liga TV presenter Semra Hunter talks about the politics behind Messi's potential departure from Barcelona and hints at his possible destination in the Premier League

    It is the perennial question - how would Lionel Messi do in the Premier League? As years passed, hopes of an answer were fading but with the news the Barcelona icon has asked to leave the club, the prospect has never felt more real. It is just a shame Stoke did not stick around...

    Transfer Centre LIVE!

    All the latest news, analysis and rumours from the window in one place.

    The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5.

    A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

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