Manchester City are hotly linked with a move for Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, who will reportedly only be open to joining if both Pep Guardiola and Sergio Aguero remain at the Etihad.
Messi, in the final year of his contract at Camp Nou, does not appear to be anywhere close to penning an extension after the Argentine handed in his infamous burofax transfer request at Barca, only for the 33-year-old to do a last minute U-turn and stay put amid a dispute regarding his release clause.
City had been pipped as the favourites to land the six-time Ballon d’Or winner for free next year in the summer transfer window and Argentine outlet El Chiringuito reports that while City are still at the head of the queue for Messi, the forward will only consider a move if Aguero and Guardiola both remain at the Etihad.
Guardiola has yet to extend his contract at Man City which is due to run out in 2021 while Messi’s national teammate and close buddy Aguero is also out of contract at the Etihad next summer and has been linked with a return to his native Argentina.
Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are also in the running to make a move for Messi over the summer, but the forward’s father Jorge has since dismissed talk of his son heading to the French capital as fake news.