Manchester City are closing in on a Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola double whammy. The Blues believe they are on the brink of prising Argentine superstar Messi away from Barcelona after the six-time Ballon d'Or winner made it clear he is not backing down from his bid to quit the Nou Camp.
And City bosses know the arrival of the 33-year-old forward will secure the future of boss Guardiola for another three years.
New Barca coach Ronald Koeman is already planning for life without Messi. And Nou Camp chiefs are hoping to agree a £250million players-plus-cash deal with City rather than go to court in an attempt to get the Etihad club to pay the player's £630million get-out clause in full.
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