Lionel Messi, after falling out with the current Barcelona board, officially asked the Catalan club to release him from his duties in the summer transfer window of 2020. After weeks of drama, Messi took a dramatic u-turn and continued his stay in the Nou Camp.

However, things haven’t fallen into place for the Argentine maestro with Barcelona this season when it comes to individual and team form. Now, Messi is set to commence formal talks over a transfer with Manchester City in January.

Messi’s current contract runs till the summer of 2021 and the Barcelona wizard can hold talks with other clubs over his transfer from January 2021. With Pep Guardiola signing a contract extension and Aguero ready to put pen on paper to extend his stay with Manchester City, everything is signalling that Messi may soon head over to the Etihad Stadium.

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According to a report in the Mirror, Man City have already chalked out plans over their transfer of Messi. Whether Messi will sign on a free transfer or will Man City pay a nominal fee to Barcelona over his transfer is yet to be cleared.&nbsp;

Moreover, the City Football Group wants to sign Messi for around a decade to maximize their market reach worldwide.&nbsp;

Man City are also keen to extend the contracts of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling to secure their prime-years with the club.&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Barcelona sit at a disappointing 13th position in the La Liga standings with just three wins in eight matches.

However, with a new board expected to come in place for Barcelona soon, it would be interesting to see whether new bosses could manage to lure Messi into another contract extension.&nbsp;

Lionel Messi, after falling out with the current Barcelona board, officially asked the Catalan club to release him from his duties in the summer transfer window of 2020.

Lionel Messi, after falling out with the current Barcelona board, officially asked the Catalan club to release him from his duties in the summer transfer window of 2020. After weeks of drama, Messi took a dramatic u-turn and continued his stay in the Nou Camp. However, things haven’t fallen into place for the Argentine maestro with Barcelona this season when it comes to individual and team form. Now, Messi is set to commence formal talks over a transfer with Manchester City in January. Messi’s current contract runs till the summer of 2021 and the Barcelona wizard can hold talks with other clubs over his transfer from January 2021. With Pep Guardiola signing a contract extension and Aguero ready to put pen on paper to extend his stay with Manchester City, everything is signalling that Messi may soon head over to the Etihad Stadium. Trending: Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli flaunts jaw-dropping cricket skills - Watch According to a report in the Mirror, Man City have already chalked out plans over their transfer of Messi. Whether Messi will sign on a free transfer or will Man City pay a nominal fee to Barcelona over his transfer is yet to be cleared. Moreover, the City Football Group wants to sign Messi for around a decade to maximize their market reach worldwide. Man City are also keen to extend the contracts of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling to secure their prime-years with the club. ALSO READ: England to allow 4,000 fans at elite events in lowest-risk areas Meanwhile, Barcelona sit at a disappointing 13th position in the La Liga standings with just three wins in eight matches. However, with a new board expected to come in place for Barcelona soon, it would be interesting to see whether new bosses could manage to lure Messi into another contract extension.

Lionel Messi to begin 'formal' talks with Man City in January: Report

Lionel Messi on Tuesday dropped a bombshell after officially asking Barcelona to allow him to leave after spending more than two decades at the Catalan club. Messi, who has been upset over Barca board, has made up his mind that his glorious chapter with the club has come to an end.&nbsp;

While Barcelona on Wednesday made it clear that they want to keep the ‘best player in the world’ and start a fresh sporting chapter, Messi seems to be final in his decision to leave the club. Barcelona’s technical director Ramon Planes, after unveiling new signing Trincao on Wednesday, said that the club do not contemplate any sort of exit for Messi as they want him to stay while adding he is convinced that Barcelona’s future will be full of positivity.&nbsp;

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"We do not contemplate any kind of exiting by Leo at the contractual level, because what we want is for him to stay here. I think that Leo knows he has enormous respect because we are talking about the best player in the world, the best player in history. And I'm absolutely convinced the upcoming future will be positive. We have to be optimistic and talk about the future, about young players, very talented players and players with a lot of experience like Leo who are in the team and have won great things. Together we have to build the Barça we all want,” Planes told the media.&nbsp;

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However, reports suggest that Messi has already spoken to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola while showing his interest in working with him again. Other reports suggest that Man City are preparing a contract for Messi which will bring him to the Etihad Stadium.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/stay-or-go-messi-in-legal-tangle-with-barcelona-over-leaving-club-323132" hreflang="en">Stay or go? Messi in legal tangle with Barcelona over leaving club</a>

The likes of Guardiola, Txiki Begiristain, Ferran Soriano and other staff members know Messi in and out as they have worked together in Barcelona earlier. And that relationship could lure Messi away from the Spanish giants. Sergio Aguero, Man City record goal-scorer, is Messi’s best friend and have shared the Argentina jersey over the years.&nbsp;

But the question remains, will Messi leave Barcelona? If he does, then all road lead to Manchester. 
&nbsp;

Lionel Messi on Tuesday dropped a bombshell after officially asking Barcelona to allow him to leave after spending more than two decades at the Catalan club. Messi, who has been upset over Barca board, has made up his mind that his glorious chapter with the club has come to an end.

Lionel Messi on Tuesday dropped a bombshell after officially asking Barcelona to allow him to leave after spending more than two decades at the Catalan club. Messi, who has been upset over Barca board, has made up his mind that his glorious chapter with the club has come to an end. While Barcelona on Wednesday made it clear that they want to keep the ‘best player in the world’ and start a fresh sporting chapter, Messi seems to be final in his decision to leave the club. Barcelona’s technical director Ramon Planes, after unveiling new signing Trincao on Wednesday, said that the club do not contemplate any sort of exit for Messi as they want him to stay while adding he is convinced that Barcelona’s future will be full of positivity. TRENDING | What's next for Lionel Messi? A record breaking career in pictures "We do not contemplate any kind of exiting by Leo at the contractual level, because what we want is for him to stay here. I think that Leo knows he has enormous respect because we are talking about the best player in the world, the best player in history. And I'm absolutely convinced the upcoming future will be positive. We have to be optimistic and talk about the future, about young players, very talented players and players with a lot of experience like Leo who are in the team and have won great things. Together we have to build the Barça we all want,” Planes told the media. ALSO READ: Adios, Lionel Messi? However, reports suggest that Messi has already spoken to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola while showing his interest in working with him again. Other reports suggest that Man City are preparing a contract for Messi which will bring him to the Etihad Stadium. IN PICS | Stay or go? Messi in legal tangle with Barcelona over leaving club The likes of Guardiola, Txiki Begiristain, Ferran Soriano and other staff members know Messi in and out as they have worked together in Barcelona earlier. And that relationship could lure Messi away from the Spanish giants. Sergio Aguero, Man City record goal-scorer, is Messi’s best friend and have shared the Argentina jersey over the years. But the question remains, will Messi leave Barcelona? If he does, then all road lead to Manchester.

Barcelona want Lionel Messi to stay but for the Argentine all roads lead to Manchester

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Lionel Messi to begin 'formal' talks with Man City in January: Report

Barcelona want Lionel Messi to stay but for the Argentine all roads lead to Manchester