Lionel Messi: Man City weigh up offering Argentina superstar a pre-contract in January and sign him for FREE before Barcelona talks

The Telegraph claim City are considering reigniting their interest in Messi, who will be available on a free transfer next summer when his contract expires.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is free to negotiate with interested suitors in the New Year, which gives City the chance to tie up a lucrative deal which would commence in July 2021.

A trophy-less campaign resulted in Messi attempting to force a move away from the LaLiga giants, only to make a sensational U-turn when it became apparent he would become engulfed into a legal battle with Barca.

The club's p resident Josep Maria Bartomeu and the Barcelona board resigned last week, sending the Catalan giants into freefall.

Bartomeu's relationship with Messi was understood to be fractured towards the end of his tenure.

Messi turns 34 next June, but ex-Barca head coach Quique Setien claims the Argentina superstar - who he found difficult to work with - remains the best player to ever grace the game.

"I think Messi is the best of all time," Setien told El Pais. "There have been other great players who have been great, but the continuity that this boy has had throughout the years has not been had by anyone.

"Leo is difficult to manage. Who am I to change him if they have accepted him as he is for years and have not changed him.

"There's another facet beyond just the player and it's more difficult to manage. Much more difficult.

"It's something inherent in many athletes that can be seen in the Michael Jordan documentary [The Last Dance]. You see things you don't expect.

"He's very reserved but he makes you see the things that he wants. He doesn't talk much."

Manchester City could reportedly offer Lionel Messi a pre-contract in January given the forward is not planning to hold talks with Barcelona regarding his future until later in the season.