Lionel Messi is said to have reached a stalemate in his latest contract negotiations, leaving the door open for a quite fantastical move by Manchester City, according to reports.
The Barcelona superstar is under contract until 2018, but according to The Sun, talks have stalled over an improved deal and Etihad bosses are ready to break the bank to reunite Messi and Pep Guardiola
The paper reports that Manchester City and Guardiola are aware of the situation and could make a bid for the prolific forward in the summer, with the club apparently prepared to pay the forward a staggering £800,000-a-week.
Messi and his father are believed to want another three years added to their current deal. City would be willing to offer Messi a five-year deal at that wage.
The current Ballon d'Or holder was a teenage prodigy when Guardiola took charge of Barcelona, but the Argentine's career took off after he was made head coach.
Guardiola shifted Messi from his former role on the right wing into a 'false 9' - in 2007-08 he scored 16 goals and the next season, Guardiola's first in charge, he scored 38.
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