Manchester City are trying to work out whether they can afford a blockbuster deal for Lionel Messi amid suggestions he could leave Barcelona this summer, reports ESPN.
Messi is currently mulling his Barcelona future in the wake of their 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, with the Spanish side ending the season with a trophy for the first time in over a decade.
The 33-year-old has 12 months left to run on his current Barcelona deal but new head coach Ronald Koeman is depserate to convince him to stay.
Koeman is already planning a clear out including striker Luis Suarez but hopes to build the team around Messi next season.
Messi discussed his Barcelona future with Koeman last week and is understood to have raised doubts over his future at the club.
Barcelona are adamant Messi will not leave this summer and no the €700m (£629.8m) release clause in his current deal will not be matched by any club.
City are aware any deal to sign Messi will be hugely complicated but want to at least be prepared if there is a chance of reuniting the Argentina international with Pep Guardiola.
Despite Barcelona's woes in 2019/20, Messi finished the campaign with 25 goals and 21 assists in 33 appearances, reaching 20+ for each for the first time in his career.
Moreover, Messi claimed the WhoScored Man of the Match award 22 times across his 33 appearances, highlighting Barcelona's dependence on him.
