Manchester United have made contact with Lionel Messi over a transfer, Spanish reports claim.
It comes after Messi stunned the Nou Camp hierarchy by handing in a transfer request to leave the club.
According to sport, United and PSG have made a move for the unsettled 33-year-old.
It is claimed Old Trafford chiefs have been in touch with Messi’s representatives, and believe they have the financial capability to pull off the sensational transfer.
That is despite so far failing to agree terms with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho, who they value at £108million.
Despite the report, is is understood Messi would favour a reunion with former team-mate Neymar at PSG – who won Ligue 1 last season but lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
The French champions are desperate to finally become European kings and believe signing the Argentine would set them on their way to doing so.
Elsewhere City boss Pep Guardiola – who managed Messi for four seasons in Spain – is said to have contacted him about a move to Manchester.
They, along with Inter Milan, are understood to have been monitoring his situation as he grew ever frustrated with the Spanish giants last season.
Inter have the backing of Chinese chairman Steven Zhang, son of billionaire Zhang Jindong.
Messi put in place plans to leave after sending a fax to Barca on Tuesday.
The Nou Camp icon demanded he exercise a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for free with immediate effect.
But the ex-LaLiga kings believe the clause has in fact expired, with the superstar under contract until the summer of 2021.
Club and player seem set for a legal battle, with Barcelona believing the stipulation expired on June 10 and that a €700m (£629m) buy-out clause is still valid.
That would leave very limited buyers financially capable of facilitating a transfer for Messi.
Messi and his team will argue an extension on his clause should be granted as the coronavirus pandemic delayed and extended the season into July and August.
The Barca board will meet immediately with president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation believed to be the only thing that could see Messi have a change of heart.
Even if he is able to depart for nothing, his basic wages per week totals at £1.15m, creating a tremendous stumbling block for any potential suitor.
