Report: Manchester City slash contract offer by £170million for Lionel Messi

Manchester City have reportedly slashed their offered for Lionel Messi to £170million less than what they were prepared to pay last summer.

Many Man City fans will remember the crazy two-week period towards the end of August 2020 as City were reportedly in talks to sign Messi with the Argentine star pushing for a move away from Barcelona.

However, the six-times world player of the year eventually decided to stay in Spain for the coming season, and could still leave Barcelona when his contact expires at the end of the season.

According to The Sun, the Cityzens offered the forward a five-year contract worth £600m when they approached him in the latter stages of 2020, but have now presented the Barca captain with a new package of £430m.

However, the report claims that Pep Guardiola’s side believe that the financial climate has changed, while Messi will be 34 by the time that his Barca deal expires.

Manchester City want Messi on a two-year deal at the Etihad with a 12-month option before another two seasons in the MLS at sister club New York City, while the agreement could also see him become an ambassador for the City Football Group.