City continue to monitor Messi as contract wrangle continues

City still dream of signing Messi.

With Lionel Messi’s contract extension with Barcelona still yet to be finalised, Manchester City continue to dream of an incredible bosman deal.

If Lionel Messi were to leave Barcelona, it would shake to Catalan club to its very core. The very prospect seemed impossible just a short time again, but it becomes more real with every day that passes without the Argentine putting pen to paper on a new contract at the Camp Nou.

Barca remain confident of tying the player down on a deal until 2021, but the fact is that right now, the Latin star can simply walk away from the club at the end of the season and Barca will not receive a penny (Thank you Jean-Marc Bosman).

In less than three months’ time, Messi can open talks with overseas clubs over a move, with Manchester City known to have considered an approach in the past.

Barca’s board are aware of this risk and are keen to tie the player down, not least because seeing the 30-year-old leave on a free would cause the fans to demand their heads.

Whilst Messi does not know where his future lies, he would be welcomed with open arms in Manchester, whilst City would be able to take advantage of the lack of a fee to offer the player an exorbitant signing-on fee.

The ball is very much in Messi’s court; he will always have a home at the Camp Nou, but could the bright lights of the Premier League tempt him to make an incredible switch?