Lionel Messi could be free to join Man City from as early as January if Barcelona press ahead with another round of staff pay cuts.
The Spanish club forced their players to take a 70 per cent deduction in their wages at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, with fresh negotiations now set to take place.
Messi was angered by the way Barca chiefs approached the previous cuts and that was one of the factors which contributed to him requesting to leave the club this summer.
Barcelona managed to keep hold of their captain due to a clause in Messi's contract meaning he cannot leave until it expires in June.
Read more on mirror.co.uk