Get the biggest City transfer window stories, analysis and updates delivered straight to your inbox Manchester City's faint hopes of signing Lionel Messi seem to be over, as widespread reports in Spain suggest he's set to sign a new deal at Barcelona.
Those ridiculous two weeks last year, when Messi publicly declared his intention to leave before being forced to stay, appear to be the closest City came to signing the best player in the world.
Barcelona's presidential election gave Messi the result he wanted, and new chief Joan Laporta appears to have negotiated a five year deal for the club's best player.
For a short time, City appeared best placed to sign Messi if he did leave. They stayed intentionally quiet while Messi and Barcelona
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