Manchester City are reportedly in pole position to sign Lionel Messi this summer, with the Argentina international available on a free transfer.

Barcelona said on Thursday evening that "financial and structural obstacles" had prevented them from being able to commit Messi to a new contract at Camp Nou, meaning that he will play his football elsewhere next term.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Paris Saint-Germain have already been in contact with the South American to register their interest in his services.

However, according to Marca, Man City are the favourites for the 34-year-old despite completing a record-breaking £100m deal for Jack Grealish on Thursday.

The report claims that PSG are currently focusing on renewing Kylian Mbappe's contract and could therefore struggle to hand Messi the deal that he would want to make the move to Paris.

There have also been suggestions that the attacker could head to the MLS, but it is understood that he wants to spend at least another two years playing in a top European league. body check tags ::