That’s according to Spanish news outlet Don Balon who reckon City bigwig Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan is eyeing up the Argentine superstar.
It’s suggested the United Arab Emirates-based supremo isn’t happy that Paris St-Germain snapped up Neymar for £199m from Barca and wants revenge.
PSG are backed by Qatari tycoon Nasser Al-Khelaifi - and the two are serious rivals.
Messi has an eye-watering £274m release clause, but despite the staggering sum, City have the financial clout to make a deal happen.
Messi is well known to City boss Pep Guardiola after the duo enjoyed huge success together at the Nou Camp from 2008-2012.
Barcelona have had a tumultuous summer - and Messi is yet to pen a mega contract that was tabled earlier this summer.
Don Balon say City are ready keep spending to ensure they become a dominant force in European football.
Ernesto Valverde was drafted in to replace Luis Enrique who decided to quit Barca at the end of last season.
However, the former Athletic Bilbao boss lost Neymar to PSG and he’s also struggled to attract fresh faces to the Nou Camp.
Nelson Semedo, Gerard Deulofeu and Paulinho have all been drafted in.
But a big name buy hasn’t been forthcoming.
Valverde is eyeing Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho - although a deal is yet to materialise.
