Manchester City have emerged in pole position to make a stunning swoop for Lionel Messi should he quit Barcelona this summer, according to reports.
And the 33-year-old Argentine superstar could now be ready to quit the Spanish club after Bayern Munich humiliated Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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According to The Daily Mirror, City are ready to do "whatever it takes" to bring Messi to the Etihad and reunite him with Pep Guardiola.
Messi had a clause in his Barcelona contract that would have allowed him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the summer.
However, the clause expired at the end of May and Messi's current buyout clause stands at an astonishing £635m.
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Brazilian legend Rivaldo suggested last month that there could be a temptation for Messi to reunite with Guardiola at City.
"If he is considering leaving the club, then something mustn't be good in the Barcelona dressing room and perhaps he is tired with all the constant problems that have surrounded the club in the last few months," the former Barcelona star said.
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"When Messi's contract ends, he will be 34, but with his class I think he could still easily play in Premier League.
"It will be sad to see him leaving Barcelona once his contract ends eventually, but I still hope that he can stay for now.
"Despite his connection to the club, he has the right to move if he wants and reuniting with Pep Guardiola at City will be tempting for him, as the two of them formed a great coach and player partnership at Barca."
Messi, whose current deal expires in 2021, revealed in 2018 that he would welcome the idea of working with Guardiola in the future.
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