Manchester United news: Adidas 'want to' reunite Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola at Old Trafford

An outrageous deal has been mooted from Spain

Lionel Messi picking up his fifth Ballon d'Or trophy this week (Getty Images)

Reports emerging from Spain this morning state that Manchester United sponsor Adidas will help reunite Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola in a sensational double deal.

Madrid-based newspaper Marca say Adidas are ready to fund the deal to build success at the club which they have paid a world record fee to sponsor. Earlier this year, on 4 January, Adidas's CEO criticised United's style of play, with the club languishing in sixth place in the league.

The German sportswear giants have signed to a massive £750m 10-year deal to provide United with merchandise and kit, and the staggering report from Marca claims that Adidas will pump in more money to the club to secure the deals for Messi and Guardiola.

Adidas chief-executive Herbert Hainer said last month: "The current playing style of Manchester United is not exactly what we want to see."

The report states: "According to several sources in the United Kingdom, sportswear giant Adidas, who sponsor both Messi and Guardiola, are prepared to dig deep to reunite the player and his former coach at Old Trafford next season."

Messi, 28, is Adidas's flagship player and won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies under Guardiola.