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'IT MIGHT HAPPEN'

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola refuses to rule out £275m Lionel Messi move and says ‘it might happen’

Etihad supporters on the edge of their seat as former Barcelona chief admits the Argentinian superstar's whopping buy-out clause could be met this summer

MANCHESTER CITY fans are on the edge of their seats as boss Pep Guardiola admitted a blockbuster £275million deal for Lionel Messi "might happen".

The Premier League giants have been linked with a mega-move for the Barcelona legend after it emerged he has still not signed a new contract with the Nou Camp giants.

Lionel Messi could be set for a huge move to Manchester City after Pep Guardiola refused to rule it out
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Lionel Messi could be set for a huge move to Manchester City after Pep Guardiola refused to rule it outCredit: AP:Associated Press
Pep Guardiola, pictured on the left with Ronald Koeman, says a £275m move 'might happen'
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Pep Guardiola, pictured on the left with Ronald Koeman, says a £275m move 'might happen'Credit: AFP

The Nou Camp club are still reeling after French side Paris Saint-Germain, backed by the wealth of their Qatari owners, turned football on its head by signing Neymar earlier this month.

They made him the planet's most-expensive footballer when they met his buy-out clause of £198m to bring him to Ligue 1.

But City, who are backed by their own wealthy Middle Eastern owners, could be set to smash that by meeting Argentinian superstar Messi's release fee as recent reports suggest they are set to meet the huge £275m figure.

Following his side's 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday, Guardiola was quizzed on whether the 30-year-old's buy-out clause could be activated.

And Goal claim he said: "I don't know. Someone might have if they have the money and want to spend it.

"It might happen."

It was revealed at the weekend that Lionel Messi has still not signed his new Barcelona contract
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It was revealed at the weekend that Lionel Messi has still not signed his new Barcelona contractCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Lionel Messi has a buy-out clause of £275m in his contract
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Lionel Messi has a buy-out clause of £275m in his contractCredit: Reuters

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Messi has formally agreed a new deal with Barcelona but has still to put pen-to-paper on the contract.

And until that takes place, the Catalans will remain fearful of losing their iconic talisman.

Of course, Messi and Guardiola are no strangers to each other as they enjoyed success as talisman and manager during Barca's most-successful period in their history.

Guardiola was Messi's manager during Barcelona's most-successful period
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Guardiola was Messi's manager during Barcelona's most-successful periodCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lionel Messi has been at Barcelona all of his career but could be set for a dramatic exit
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Lionel Messi has been at Barcelona all of his career but could be set for a dramatic exitCredit: AFP
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Barcelona are still reeling from the loss of Neymar to PSGCredit: Rex Features

Guardiola four-year stint in charge of the Spaniards saw his side, led by the forward, claim two Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles.

And were there any possibility of him being open to leaving the Nou Camp, Guardiola would no doubt demand City do whatever necessary to get him to Manchester.

Speculation of a move to the Etihad continued to grow over the weekend after it was revealed he had followed the Premier League side’s official Instagram account.


Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport’s live transfer blog

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