News of Lionel Messi\u2019s exit from Barcelona enters a third day with differing reports scrambling the the international media every few minutes, and several journalists have reported that Manchester City already have an agreement in place to sign the star and reunite him with Pep Guardiola.<\/p>\n
Although much of the recent rumours have been coming from foreign sources, the Times\u00a0claim Manchester City as being\u00a0‘optimistic’<\/em>\u00a0in terms of their pursuit of Messi, saying that the club\u2019s Chief Executive, Ferran Soriano, have made it clear they have the financial capabilities to conclude what would be a remarkable deal.<\/p>\n Graham Hunter told Podcast\u00a0that,\u00a0\u201cRight now, we-re sitting at something like an 85-90% chance that he leaves\u201d,<\/em>\u00a0as numerous people suggested that the 33 year old will remain resolute on his stance to leave, despite Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu making last ditch attempts to do all he can to to convince Messi to stay.<\/p>\n Veronica Brunati has reported that Manchester City have an agreement in numbers with Messi, and is providing a number of updates throughout the course of Thursday afternoon which have been summed up below:<\/p>\n – The key to negotiations between City\u00a0and Barcelona is a player being included in a deal.<\/p>\n – Lionel Messi called Pep Guardiola and told him: \u201cMoney will not be a hindrance. I want to play for Manchester City<\/em>.”<\/p>\n – Lionel Messi will not be leaving Barcelona for the money. Manchester City\u00a0will not pay the same as Barca as it is the equivalent of what five current City players earn: Aguero, Laporte, De Bruyne, Sterling and Jesus.<\/p>\n – Manchester City\u00a0are offering Lionel Messi an initial two-year contract, although the final details are yet to be agreed. City hope to be able to negotiate the terms of the transfer with Barcelona and include a player: Gabriel Jesus is valued at \u20ac100M.<\/p>\n – And finally: Jorge Messi will travel to Barcelona on Sunday.<\/p>\n Channel Cuatro have also similarly claimed that both Messi and City have an agreement and that City\u2019s representatives will travel to Catalan to close the deal. Lucas Scagliola said that this rumored agreement was agreed \u201cdays ago<\/em>\u201d and that City have \u201ceverything ready<\/em>\u201d for Messi.<\/p>\n