With FC Barcelona having already lost Neymar in this transfer window, new reports suggest the Catalan giants could also lose Lionel Messi.
Read: Reports: Messi Wants One Of These Four Stars At Barca
According to Yahoo Sport France, the Citizens are ready to activate Messi's whopping €300 million (R4.65 billion) release clause before the window closes.
Messi is yet to put pen to paper on a proposed new deal at the Camp Nou, a fact that has stirred speculation.
The Blaugrana announced, on 5 July, that the club and Messi had agreed a renewal that was set to keep him at the club until 2021.
The official statement suggested "the deal will be signed in the coming weeks, when Messi returns to the team for pre-season training".
However, nothing has happened since, and the Argentine has still not signed an extension, despite the 2017/18 La Liga campaign having begun this past weekend.
City are reportedly ready to pounce on this situation, with manager Pep Guardiola keen on reuniting with his former protege.
However, the Premier League side have already spent €244.3 million (R3.79 billion) on new signings in this transfer window, and it seems highly unlikely they would pull off a new world record deal in the 10 days before the window closes.
Read: Ronaldo Closes In On Messi's Trophy Haul
Messi, meanwhile, failed to hit the back of the net during his side's 2-0 La Liga win on Sunday, and could only hit the woodwork three times.
Do you think Messi could still join City in this window? Have your say in the comments section below.
