Lionel Messi is ‘seriously considering’ his future at Barcelona after Premier League giants Manchester City held a meeting with the player’s representatives, according to the Daily Record.
Messi has scored 508 goals in 585 games for Barcelona since 2004, helping the La Liga giants win eight titles and the Champions League four times and emerge as one of the greatest players of all-time.
The 30-year-old appeared to commit his long-term future to Barca by agreeing a new four-year contract last month, but reports say a stunning summer move could still be on the cards.
The Daily Record say a meeting between Manchester City chiefs and Messi’s representatives was held in Barcelona last week, in which the Premier League club enquired about the possibility of bringing the Argentine to England.
It is claimed Messi is growing somewhat frustrated with the situation at Barcelona – his team-mate and friend Nemar was sold to Paris Saint-Germain last month despite the Catalan club insisting he was ‘200 per-cent’ certain to stay.
Barcelona are struggling in their attempts to sign a replacement, with Liverpool adamant Philippe Coutinho will not be sold, while on the pitch Messi has seen his side fall to successive defeats to Real Madrid in the Super Cup.
Man City have held genuine interest in Messi for a number of years and Pep Guardiola hopes to sign another forward before the window closes on August 31.
Alexis Sanchez has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad but Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have no intention of selling the Chilean superstar this summer.
City are, however, reportedly willing to meet Messi’s release clause and the Daily Record quote a Barcelona source as saying: ‘He is seriously considering leaving. He is open to a move, but knowing the player it will take him a while to decide.’
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