Manchester City Transfer News: Latest on Lionel Messi, Top Rumours

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has denied any knowledge about a possible deal involving star forward Lionel Messi and Premier League title contenders Manchester City.

Enrique was speaking to reporters on the eve of Barca’s upcoming match against Celtic in the UEFA Champions League. He was asked about any bid from City for Messi, according to Ewan Murray of the Guardian: “I don’t know. I have no idea. Lionel is always ready to play and I’m sure he will be ready to face Celtic. He is 100% and eager to give the best version of himself.”

Murray described Enrique as answering the question curtly. Yet despite the manager’s seeming distaste for the subject, the rumours linking City with Messi have been gathering momentum recently.

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The Sunday Mirror’s Simon Mullock recently reported how the Citizens are ready to offer a total package worth more than £200 million to sign Messi next summer: “City bosses are drawing up a plan that will see them pay Barca a world-record transfer fee in excess of £100m as well as handing Messi a basic wage of £500,000-a-week.”

Mullock also highlights Messi’s current contract as a reason for City’s belief they could actually tempt the world’s best player away from the Camp Nou. The prolific No. 10’s existing deal with Barca includes a buyout clause totalling £215 million, but the agreement runs out in 2018, and Messi has yet to sign fresh terms.

Of course, the motivation of not losing Messi for a …

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