Manchester City have reportedly held "serious conversations" with associates of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi ahead of a possible offer in January.

Earlier this year, Messi was said to have agreed a new long-term contract with the Catalan giants, but it has been suggested that the Argentine is yet to have signed on the dotted line.

That allegedly leaves the 30-year-old with less than a year remaining on his deal at Camp Nou and according to AS, City are ready to try to take advantage of any uncertainty over the striker's future.

City are seemingly prepared to bid whatever it takes to complete what would inevitably break the world transfer record, with the suggestion that a €400m (£356.82m) approach could soon be on the table.

While Messi and his family remain happy in Spain and Barcelona allegedly insist that "everything is calm", an offer of that magnitude would force decisions to be made, providing that Messi does not officially sign his deal before the end of 2017.

Messi has started the new season with 13 goals from nine appearances in all competitions.