Manchester City look to sign Messi if Barcelona contract renewal fails

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lionel Messi is being linked with a sensational move to Manchester City, and that could spark the Blues into action next summer, the Manchester Evening News said.

The Spanish daily newspaper Marca claims that the Argentina superstar has indicated he will not be renewing his deal with Barcelona when it expires in 18 months' time.

And if Messi indicates that he will run down his contract, rather than risk losing him for nothing Barca are likely to be open to offers next summer.

City are confident that they will be at the head of the queue for his services if he does ever move on from his only senior club.

Marca claim that Messi made his decision in the summer, after becoming disillusioned with the way he has been pursued by the Spanish tax authorities.

Both he and his father were sentenced to 21 months in jail, in July, for three separate counts of fraud, although neither will have to serve the sentence.

Former Barca president Joan Laporta also claimed recently that there are conspirators within the club trying to get Messi out.

City have repeatedly taken the stance that they feel 29-year-old Messi will see out his career at Barca, but with the rider that they will be his favoured destination if he ever does leave.

Guardiola himself said last month that he hoped Messi would finish his career at Barcelona.

But he added, interestingly, that maybe the player himself might want a change , and “for his children to learn English.”