Manchester City could offer £15m to Barcelona for Lionel Messi when the January transfer window opens, according to the Daily Star.

The Argentinian legend is expected to leave the Camp Nou on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer but City will try and tempt Barca into selling up midway through the season.

However, there is now even more competition for Messi’s signature, with the Star suggesting that Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain may all consider making their own attempts to sign the 33-year-old.

Clubs from MLS are also said to be keeping tabs on the situation but it must be said there is still a chance that Messi will opt to stay in Spain.

Barcelona’s presidential elections will be held in March with the incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu not eligible for re-election. Messi may, therefore, decide to wait things out in January and see who is in charge before deciding his future at the end of the season.