Lionel Messi transfer news: Barcelona star reportedly agrees 5-year Manchester City deal for Euro 700 mn

Lionel Messi transfer news: Ever since Lionel Messi made it clear that he wants to leave Barcelona, a move to Manchester City seemed imminent. The Argentine superstar has grown tired of the Spanish club's failings in the Champions League and is eager to work under Pep Guardiola once again. The only hurdle was Messi’s high transfer fee and significantly high wages.  

While the latter was never a problem for a club like Manchester City, it is believed that City Football Club has also agreed to pay Messi’s release clause of €700 mn.  

As reported by Duncan Castles for the Daily Record, City's owners and Messi have agreed terms on a five-year deal worth a staggering €700m (£623m) - the same amount as his release clause. The offer would see Messi spend three years in the Premier League with City and the remaining two years with New York City FC - who are also owned by City Football Group (CFG). 

It's also reported that Messi could be offered an equity stake in CFG as part of his compensation package. This will help Messi remain the highest paid footballer in the world. 

The Argentina captain’s father has also dropped a big hint by saying that it is difficult to stay at Barcelona. Jorge, who is also Lionel Messi’s agent admitted that it will be "difficult" for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to remain at Barcelona. 

"A future at Barcelona? It's difficult. It would be difficult to stay," Jorge Messi told El Chrininguito. 

"I haven't talked with Pep. There's nothing yet with City." 

In addition to meeting with Messi's father, Barcelona said it also wanted to meet personally with the player to try to change his mind about leaving. The club said it has been doing everything to try to convince Messi to finish his career at the club where he started nearly 20 years ago. 

Lionel Messi hasn't met with club officials since announcing his decision to leave and hasn't said anything publicly since Barcelona's 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals on Aug. 14.  

The defeat that capped a difficult season for the club, its first without a title since 2007-08.