Manchester City lures Messi with £800,000-a-week deal

Manchester City has expressed interest in signing Barcelona ace Lionel Messi on a £800,000-a-week deal, The Sun has reported.

Messi’s representatives are believed to have initiated talks with Manchester City in a deal that would see the 28-year-old earn around £40 million a year.

According to reports on Independent.co.uk, Messi could be on his way out of Barcelona with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea his probable destinations.

A move for Messi is estimated to be in the region of £200 million with most clubs including Arsenal keeping off due to his high wages.

Messi was reported to have expressed interest in leaving the Spanish giant following his tussle with Spanish FA over allegations of tax evasion against him and his father.

Last month, BBC reported that a court in Spain has ruled that Messi and his father should stand trial over allegations of tax fraud.

The two are accused of defrauding Spain of more than £3.1 million, allegations they have vehemently denied.

Prosecutors alleged that Jorge evaded tax on Messi’s earnings by using offshore accounts in Belize and Uruguay in 2007 to 2009.

Messi and his father made a voluntary £3.5 million corrective payment in August 2013, equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest.

The Argentina was reported to be unsettled at Barcelona in January over coach Luis Enrique’s tactical approach, according to Skysports.

Messi, together with Barcelona president Joseph Maria played down the claims, terming the reports as malicious.