Lionel Messi has spoken with his former manager at Barcelona Pep Guardiola as Manchester City wait to see if he wants to join them.
City are prepared to make a move for Messi after he told Barcelona he wants to leave.
The 33-year-old and Guardiola held a telephone call earlier this week, although there is no suggestion a potential move was discussed.
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The pair remain close since their time together at the Nou Camp when they twice won the Champions League.
According to Argentine newspaper La Nacion even claims Messi has told pals: “I’m going to talk to Pep so he can arrange my move to City. The soccer there is spectacular.”
City are desperate to become kings of Europe and Messi is seen as the signing which may finally make that possible.
He is understood to be open to a City switch, but they are waiting for him to tell them that directly before starting negotiations.
Barca are resigned to losing their star man despite Spanish TV claiming under-fire president Josep Bartomeu would stand aside if Messi agrees to stay.
On Tuesday, Messi told the club he wanted to leave after nearly two decades with the Catalan giants.
He has grown increasingly frustrated at the team’s recent Champions League failures and his relationship with Bartomeu has deteriorated.
Bartomeu has been a key figure in appointing Ronald Koeman as the new coach and been a driving force in trying to push Luis Suarez and other stars out.
