After it was claimed that Manchester City had made a new contract offer to FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, the Premier League giants have seemingly reacted to the speculation.
Read: Report: Man City Make €500m Messi Offer
A report by English publication The Sun on Thursday stated that the Citizens had offered Messi a package worth €500 million (R8.8 billion), which would see him spend two seasons, plus one further optional year, with the Premier League giants and another two at sister club New York City in the US.
However, according to ESPN, City chiefs are angry about the abovementioned report because the Premier League giants are waiting to see what Messi decides regarding his future at the Camp Nou before making their move.
The Citizens have also insisted that no offer was made ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, when the Argentine desperately wanted to leave the Blaugrana after handing in a transfer request.
The 33-year-old, meanwhile, is understood to be waiting on the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections at Barcelona on 7 March, and is fully focused on finishing the campaign as strong as possible.
The Catalan club's financial problems and a potential early exit from the UEFA Champions League following their 4-1 thrashing at the Camp Nou by Paris Saint-Germain this week have fuelled speculation around Messi's future.
Meanwhile, PSG have made their intention to sign the Argentine once his contract expires in June quite clear – an approach that is believed to not be welcomed by Messi himself.
See some 2021/22 transfers that have already been confirmed below:
