Lionel Messi’s father has met with Manchester City about his son making a remarkable move to the Premier League.
Jorge Messi is believed to have met with City director of football Txiki Begiristain, who was at Barcelona until 2012, regarding a possible move to the Etihad, according the Sun.
City have been keeping close tabs of the availability of Messi, who’s contract with Barcelona ends in 2018.
Messi’s current buyout clause is £275m, and Barcelona are aware that Man City have the financial muscle to finance such a deal.
Yet City are aware that Messi has so far refused to extend his contract with Barcelona, and could wait until next summer to complete a remarkable free transfer.
Messi is believed to have become unhappy at Barcelona’s failure to replace Neymar, who left the club after PSG activated his release clause.
The club have so far failed with bids for Liverpool’s Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona remain confident that Messi will sign a new deal, once Neymar’s replacement is confirmed.
Man City have long been an obvious choice for Messi shouls he leave the Nou Camp.
Messi enjoys a good relationship with Begiristain and City chief executive Ferran Soriano — another former Barcelona employee, whilst the club is managed by Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola.