The Nou Camp club are still reeling after French side Paris Saint-Germain, backed by the wealth of their Qatari owners, turned football on its head by signing Neymar earlier this month. They made him the planet’s most-expensive footballer when they met his buy-out clause of £198m to bring him to Ligue 1.
But City, who are backed by their own wealthy Middle Eastern owners, could be set to smash that by meeting Argentinian superstar Messi’s release fee as recent reports suggest they are set to meet the huge £275m figure.
Following his side’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday, Guardiola was quizzed on whether the 30-year-old’s buy-out clause could be activated, he said: “I don’t know. Someone might have if they have the money and want to spend it. “It might happen.”
Messi has formally agreed a new deal with Barcelona but has still to put pen-to-paper on the contract. And until that takes place, the Catalans will remain fearful of losing their iconic talisman.
Of course, Messi and Guardiola are no strangers to each other as they enjoyed success as talisman and manager during Barca’s most-successful period in their history.
