Manchester City are weighing up options if they can snap up a move for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi without breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rule, ESPN reports.

The Argentine has been on the headlines of news portals since Barca’s 8-2 defeat in the hands of Bayern Munich, which led to their exit in the Champions League following back-to-back knockout in the quarter and semifinal stages of the competition by AS Roman and Liverpool.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has already voiced doubts concerning his future at the Camp Nou in a meeting with Barca's new coach, Ronald Koeman as he heads to the final stage of his contract.

Should he decide to leave before the start of the season, Barcelona would have no option than to sell him at a cut-price. Messi will walk away as a free agent to any interested club at the end of his contract if not sold at a reasonable price before the transfer window shuts, a scenario the Catalan club is not willing to let happen.

Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan are probable destinations for Lionel Messi but Manchester City’s influence seems high following Pep Guardiola’s affiliation with the Barca captain during his time.

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Although a lot of football stakeholders doubt that Messi's glued connection with Barcelona can break yet sources have confirmed how determined the Argentine is willing to walk away.

Man City’s acquisition of the FIFA Best player would totally turn their team around by way of winning trophies, fan base, and financial boost but their greatest fear is breaching the Financial Fair Play rule, a situation which has placed them under intense monitoring following their recent win at the Court of Arbitration for Sports over accusations for financial doping.

Messi’s €700m release clause would need a renegotiation or the Etihad club would have to wait for the Argentine to serve his contract fully to prevent any financial hindrances.

City’s elimination from the Champions League quarterfinal to Lyon means the club would do anything to strengthen the team to be fit to go again in the coming season, having purchased Nathan Ake from Bournemouth for a reported £41m and Ferran Torres for €23m.