'Daily Star': City will offer Barca 16 million for Messi in January

Leo Messi's Barcelona contract expires in June 2021. From that date, he can leave the club for free, meaning that the Catalan giants would miss out on any potential transfer fees.

City want exploit the situation. 'The Daily Star' claim that Pep Guardiola's side will try and convince Barca to bring forward the Argentine's move to the Etihad.

The British paper is reporting that City will make a 16 million euro offer in January, meaning that Barcelona would at least see some financial compensation from Messi's move.

If the Spanish side says no, City will still be able to sign him six months later for free. That is the leverage they will try to use to convince the Azulgrana.

At the Camp Nou they have already given up on keeping Messi. They don't expect him to sign a new contract and are planning for a future without their superstar number 10.