Manchester City are willing to sign a striker AND Barcelona legend Lionel Messi this summer, with the club ready to go ‘several steps further’ than they did last summer – when they identified key targets but didn’t push to sign them.
SAM LEE from THE ATHLETIC brings us the latest reports in the clubs hunt for their next reliable goalscorer. First of all, he says the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, Sergio Agüero has still not received any contact from the club regarding a new contract – however he adds these talks are still to come.
With the Argentine’s time to convince Guardiola and co he can stay fit for long enough to really make a difference starting to run out, the club will have to assess other options.
Lionel Messi is still reportedly a target for the club if he were to decide to leave Barcelona this summer. The club would get the six time Ballon d’Or winner on a free transfer, but would also take on his substancial wage cost.
However, even getting Messi wouldn’t be enough in the striking department according to these reports; with the club willing to go ‘several steps further’ to sign another striker.
Erling Haaland and Lautaro Martinez are the two main targets if recent reports are to be believed. Even shock reports recently linking former Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku with a move were quickly squashed by his camp.
