Rumour Has It: Man City hopeful of signing Barca's Messi

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London, December 30: Lionel Messi's future has been the subject of much speculation but a reunion with Pep Guardiola is still very much in Manchester City's plans.

Messi has been disgruntled with his situation at Barcelona since the end of last season, despite head coach Ronald Koeman's insistence that his superstar captain is happy.

Four-time Champions League winner Messi unsuccessfully tried to force an exit in August, however there will be no legal clauses to stop him when his contract expires in June 2021.

TOP STORY – MESSI WANTED ON FIVE-YEAR DEAL

The City Football Group (CFG) is eyeing a 2021 swoop that will see Lionel Messi split time between their Premier League powerhouse Manchester City and MLS franchise New York City, according to the Telegraph.

A five-year contract could be offered to superstar Barcelona captain Messi, which includes three years in England, taking the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to the age of 37, followed by an additional two more in the United States.

In an interview with Spanish TV channel La Sexta, Messi admitted his desire to one day play in the United States, a hint that City's proposal may be on his mind.

ROUND-UP

- Arsenal are lining up a six-month loan deal for Real Madrid star Isco after making the Spain international their top target for January. Mikel Arteta's side face competition from Sevilla, reports Diario AS.

- Tottenham should be braced for a Paris Saint-German raid when Mauricio Pochettino is appointed head coach of the Ligue 1 champions, claims Eurosport. Dele Alli has been a long-term PSG target, but Serge Aurier, Hugo Lloris and Harry Winks may also be considered.

- Spurs are preparing a move for RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer, who has 18 months left on his contract. German outlet Bild report the club's sporting director Markus Krosche admitted Jose Mourinho is interested in the midfielder.

- The long-running saga of Georginio Wijnaldum's future will climax this week and the Dutchman is set to choose Liverpool over Barcelona. The Liverpool Echo report the midfielder's young family are settled on Merseyside and Wijnaldum is now desperate to re-sign with the Reds.

- Borussia Dortmund want to make Manchester City's 18-year-old youth product Jayden Braaf 'the next Jadon Sancho'. Bild says the Bundesliga club are preparing a €10millon (£9m) January bid, while City will insist on inserting a buy-back clause in any deal.

- Tuttosport reports Diego Costa, Lyon captain Memphis Depay and Liverpool forward Divock Origi are on Juventus' radar heading into the January transfer window. Costa is a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid, while Depay has been tipped to join Barca.

- With Costa leaving Atletico, Diario AS, Mundo Deportivo and Marca claim the LaLiga club's interest in soon-to-be free agent and Napoli outcast Arkadiusz Milik is growing.