Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Lionel Messi and Alex Sandro

Manchester City are reportedly ready to spend big next summer to complete the signing of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

According to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror, the Etihad Stadium club are set to “break the bank” to secure the 29-year-old and “are putting together a stunning financial package in excess of £200 million.”

It’s suggested in the report City will offer Barcelona in excess of £100 million as a transfer fee for Messi and then propose a wage package that’d see the forward earn £500,000-a-week.

Mullock reported that Messi is stalling on a new contract with the Camp Nou club, with his current deal set to expire in 2018. According to Mullock, City’s appointment of manager Pep Guardiola, who worked with the Argentina international at Barcelona, represents a “huge attraction” to Messi.

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It’d be a stunning capture from City if they could convince Messi to join the club. Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez believes Barca would struggle without their star man:

Indeed, Messi has become synonymous with Barcelona. Since bursting into the senior team in 2004, he’s gone on to establish himself as among the best players in the world and has helped propel the Blaugrana to numerous successes. Losing him would be a major blow both on and off the pitch for the Catalan giants.

For City, it’d be a huge boost. While Messi’s game continues to evolve, he’s still a major force in the attacking third; his ability to ghost past opponents, find killer passes and finish a variety of opportunities is unparalleled anywhere in world football.

Barcelona will be keen to get Messi’s contract signed before the end of the campaign or speculation about his future will continue to surface. The longer he goes without committing his future to the club, the more hopeful City fans will become of pulling off this remarkable deal.

City Chasing Alex Sandro

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According to Chris Hatherall of the Daily Mirror, Manchester City are ready to move quickly to secure the signing of Juventus left-back Alex Sandro.

In the report it’s suggested the Brazilian has a release clause in his current contract of £25.6 million, although that could rise to £40 million should the Italian champions convince Sandro to sign a new deal.

Since moving to Turin in 2015 from Porto, Sandro has grown into one of the best left-backs in the game, excelling in a back four and when pushed further forward as a wing-back. Here’s a look at what he can bring to a team:

For City, the release clause shouldn’t pose too much of an obstacle, especially given the current options at left-back. Sandro, who is dynamic, powerful and energetic, would be a big upgrade on Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov.

ESPN FC’s David Amoyal is a huge fan of the Brazil international and recently hailed his effectiveness in the final third:

Hatherall added that City have been admirers of the 25-year-old since his days at Porto and have had scouts in attendance to monitor his recent form. Sandro continues to impress with the Italian champions, starting 12 league games this season and grabbing three assists.

For a player who has proved himself at a high level, is an improvement on current options and still developing, £25.6 million seems a reasonable price to pay. Guardiola’s City side have lacked penetration from the full-back areas early in his tenure, and Sandro would be a perfect antidote to that problem if they could complete a deal.