Manchester City plotting to sign Messi for $247 mn: Reports

English Premier League side Manchester City is reportedly preparing a staggering offer worth 200 million pounds ($247 million) to sign FC Barcelona star forward Lionel Messi next summer, according to English media reports.

The London-based tabloid Sunday Mirror on Sunday reported that the Mancunian club is prepared to pay Messi a basic wage of 500,000 pounds ($617,700) per week, reports Efe.

"The Blues believed that their appointment of Messi's former Barça boss Pep Guardiola as manager last summer would put them in pole position to sign the player should he ever decide to leave the Nou Camp," the newspaper said.

Additionally, Manchester City's hopes to sign Messi have been revived as Barcelona still has to convince the Argentine star to renew his contract, which expires in 2018.

Manchester City is one of few clubs with the financial resources to sign Messi, after it was acquired by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment -- owned by multi-billionaire Sheikh Mansour -- in August 2008.

In the event of that potential deal, Messi would break Paul Pogba's record transfer from Juventus to Manchester United for 89 pounds ($110 million).

The Sunday Mirror also highlighted that there are other European who have shown interest in Messi, such as Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United.

--IANS

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