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Manchester City to make 357 million pounds bid for Lionel Messi?

Barcelona star Lionel Messi remains on Manchester City’s wish list as they explore the opportunity to make the bid in January 2018.

Updated on: Oct 10, 2017, 12:53:26 IST
Hindustan Times, Mumbai | By
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English Premier League club Manchester City are reportedly gearing up to bid a whopping 357 million pounds in January 2018 to get Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi on board.

Will Lionel Messi make a move from Barcelona to Manchester City next year? (Reuters)
Will Lionel Messi make a move from Barcelona to Manchester City next year? (Reuters)

Spanish newspaper AS claims ‘serious conversations have been held with the footballer’s inner circle’ regarding the world-record deal. A few months ago, Messi’s teammate at Barcelona Neymar had inked a deal of 198 million pounds with Paris Saint-Germain, which had shattered all records.

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If Messi wants to make a move, then Manchester City’s offer will break all records. If the deal goes through, Messi’s move will also reunite him with former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who is currently in charge of Manchester City.

The report, however, claimed that Messi is ‘happy with his life in Barcelona’ as the 30-year-old Argentine feels ‘wanted’ at the club. Messi’s wife Antonella, with whom he tied the knot in June this year, is not in favour of moving.

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Even though Messi has signed a contract extension with Barcelona till 2021, there are loose ends in his contract which the others could exploit.

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According to The Sun, Manchester City have not given up hopes to sign Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and are likely to make a bid of 20 million pounds in January. The club is also interested in signing Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who could replace Benjamin Mendy.

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