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Manchester City are ready to tempt Lionel Messi with a pre-contract agreement.
The Argentine’s current deal with Barcelona expires next summer, which means he is free to talk with clubs from abroad in January.
And although the decision of beleaguered President Josep Maria Bartomeu has increased his chances, in the eyes of some, to agreeing a contract extension at the Nou Camp, elections for a new board will not be held until next March. That means any discussions over a fresh contract for the club captain and talisman will not take place until later in the season.
That delay in determining the future direction of the club could give City the opportunity to make their move.
The Premier League side were heavily linked with a move for Messi in the summer, but he was forced to remain in Spain after Barcelona insisted that his release clause must be met in full.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.