Report: Man City Weighing Long-Term Contract Offer To Lionel Messi with MLS Clause

Manchester City are weighing a long-term contract offer to Lionel Messi that would see him move to their MLS partner club, New York City FC, after three years in the Premier League, according to ESPN's Rodrigo Faez and Moises Llorens. 

Messi and Man City manager Pep Guardiola have spoken about the possibility of the star Argentine forward joining the English club, per ESPN, with the reported call between the two sides occurring last week. In addition, ESPN reports that high-ranking executives at City have spoken with the Messi camp recently. 

On Tuesday evening, Marcelo Bechler of Esporte Interativo also reported that the Messi has indicated a desire to join Manchester City.

A potential deal with Manchester City could also include Messi being allowed to become an ambassador for the City Football Group, the holding company that owns many clubs (including City and NYCFC) across the world, ESPN reports. 

Reports surfaced Tuesday that Messi told Barcelona that he wants to move on after nearly two decades with the Spanish club. The club confirmed the news of Messi's ask. 

Messi has won a record six Ballon d'Or awards during his time with Barcelona. The club has won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues titles with Messi on board. 

Barcelona finished the 2019-20 season without a title for the first time since 2007-08. The club recently lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. 

ESPN reported Monday that Man City has been crunching the numbers to work out a possible deal with Messi, without breaking Financial Fair Play rules. 

Messi and Man City manager Pep Guardiola worked together for four years between 2008 and 2012. Manchester City has not won the Champions League in the club's history. 

The financials of a possible move are unclear.