Safe to say it was a very eventful summer for Barcelona in the transfer market.

The club were embroiled in the prolonged Neymar saga which eventually saw the Brazilian move to Paris Saint-Germain for €222m.

Then, the Blaugrana hierarchy tried desperately to replace the former Santos man and that dragged into yet another theatrical saga with Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho.

In the end, Barca had to make do with Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele and Gerard Deulofeu, however, the former is injured until the new year.

One positive that the Spanish giants were supposed to take from the summer months was that Lionel Messi had signed a contract extension until 2021.

But, in the ensuing chaos, it was revealed that the Argentine superstar did not actually put pen to paper.

The club remain adamant that the situation is under control but it is a simple fact that Messi's contract is nearing an end.

ONE CLUB READY TO POUNCE

And, there is one team ready to step in if an extension cannot be agreed; Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

They have always been linked with a sensational swoop for the legendary attacker and now, they are prepared to make a ridiculous offer in January.

According to Spanish publication AS, the Citizens would be prepared to table an offer of €400m in order to bring him in at the start of the new year.

The price would nearly double Neymar's record fee and would be for a player who could technically move for free come next summer.

It all seems a tad farfetched, however, given City's frivolous spending under the rule of Sheikh Mansour, you wouldn't put it past them.

It is also said in the same report that Messi is happy with life in Barcelona, plus his family would not be keen on moving to England.

The likelihood is that he will sign a new deal but for the moment, the uncertainty hovering over his head is conjuring some very interesting rumours.

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