Some things just aren't meant to change.

Lionel Messi playing for Barcelona is one of those things. The Argentinian has become a legend at that Catalan club way before his playing days are done and it's hard to imagine him playing for anyone else.

Just like Francesco Totti at Roma, Messi is adored by the Barcelona faithful and besides, who could really afford to prize the five-time Ballon d'Or winner away from the Spanish giants?

Only a handful of sides in the world could plausibly afford the 30-year-old, but with his contract running down next summer, perhaps a window of opportunity has opened.

According to reports, Manchester City certainly think so and would be prepared to pay £357 million - or €400m - to secure his services.

Messi is fresh off bagging an all-important hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Ecuador that sealed the Argies place at the World Cup in Russia next year on the final day of qualifying.

He also has 14 goals in 11 games for Barca, so does international teammate and close friend Sergio Aguero believe Messi could join him at the Citizens?

Aguero told Argentine broadcaster TyC Sport: "The money isn't a problem here, but I think Messi, like Ronaldo, is a player who is a symbol of their club and it's difficult for them to leave. I would love to have Leo on my team, but that seems quite complicated."

Although Messi is in the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said: “Everything is signed. There is no need to worry.”

Aguero is on the shelf at the moment after enjoying a fast start to the season of his own, but he has been criticised for going to Amsterdam on his day off and getting injured.

Speaking about the accident, Aguero defended himself, saying: "When a player has a free day at Manchester City, most of the players go to London, others to Italy, some to Spain.

"I still do not know if I am going to play on Saturday. Today I trained normally, but without the group. Tomorrow I will get into the group to see how I feel."