Report: Manchester City 'confident' of Messi deal should he leave Barcelona
Manchester City is "confident" it would be Lionel Messi's preferred choice should he opt to leave Barcelona in the future.
The Eastlands outfit has already inquired about the availability of the five-time player of the year, according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson and various other sources, and it is believed that having Pep Guardiola as manager puts City in pole position if Messi is tempted to leave Catalonia.
In addition to Guardiola's arrival this summer, the City hierarchy also features sporting director Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano, both of whom worked closely with Messi when in similar roles at the Camp Nou. Soriano is thought to be particularly close with Messi and his family.
It is the relationship between Guardiola and Messi that is most pivotal in putting City at the front of the queue, though. The fleet-footed forward won three La Liga titles and hoisted two Champions League trophies under the current Bayern Munich boss' tutelage.
Despite this belief coming from Manchester, there is no word from Barcelona that Messi is unsettled at the club. It was established during discussions between the two teams that the Argentinian is content and has no plans to leave, but this won't prevent City from monitoring the situation closely.
One aspect which may loosen the bonds of Messi's stay in Spain - he is currently contracted until 2018 - is that he is embroiled in a tax case with his father. The pair are alleged to have not declared €4.2 million from between 2007 and 2009, but deny any wrongdoing and have already paid €5 million as a corrective measure to cover the taxes and interest incurred. The trial begins May 31.
There have been further suggestions that Guardiola's shopping trips to Barcelona won't be restricted to the stalls on Las Ramblas, with his former players Sergio Busquets, Dani Alves, and Neymar also said to be piquing the interest of the Spanish gaffer.
Others that could join Guardiola's City revolution are Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan, Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, and defensive duo Aymeric Laporte and John Stones of Athletic Bilbao and Everton, respectively. The incoming head coach could also delve into his current ranks, bringing Thiago Alcantara with him from Bayern.
Related - Report: Guardiola wants Thiago Alcantara to join him at City
Ahead of the wholesale changes expected at the Etihad Stadium this summer, things are looking rather dour under Guardiola's predecessor Manuel Pellegrini. A 1-0 home loss to archrival Manchester United last Sunday has left City in great risk in surrendering fourth place and therefore Champions League football next season.