Man City and Man Utd among favourites to complete Lionel Messi transfer as superstar tells Barcelona he wants to leave

MANCHESTER CITY are favourites to sign want-away Barcelona legend Lionel Messi - with neighbours United, Inter Milan and PSG also rated serious contenders.

Messi has asked to leave the LaLiga giants after Ronald Koeman became boss following an 8-2 Champions League mauling against Bayern Munich.

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And bookmakers quickly named Pep Guardiola's City as the likeliest destination for the 33-year-old frontman, who argues he is entitled to a free transfer.

have City at 5/2, ahead of 3/1 tips Inter, with United 6/1 and PSG 7/1.

Messi could give City the huge lift needed after Liverpool dethroned them by 18 points in winning the Premier League.

Etihad chief Guardiola mainly needs to strengthen his defence - as a successor to Real Sociedad-bond playmaker David Silva has already been identified in-house as England hopeful Phil Foden.

But luring Messi would surely send pre-season at the Etihad crackling with electricity and expectation.

Antonio Conte's Inter, though, are in the market for a top-name recruit, especially after surging up Serie A to finish just a point behind champions Juventus.

Messi is also the type of mobile magician Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might dream about.

Solskjaer already has a whole range of contrasting attacking talents in Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial.

What we know so far:

• Messi demands Barcelona release him on a FREE transfer immediately
• The amazing clause in his contract that lets him leave for FREE
• Man City lead the chase for Messi's signature
• Rio Ferdinand claims Chelsea are in the hunt too
• Angry fans protest in Barcelona as superstar wants to leave

But despite soaring to a third-place finish, United have over-relied on Bruno Fernandes for special moments of extra flair behind the strikers.

PSG, of course, have been willing to spend huge sums to fund still elusive Champions League glory, last Sunday's 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the final being their closest call to date.

And imagine the possibilities with a front three of Argentina superstar Messi, the £198m world's costliest player Neymar and jet-heeled Kylian Mbappe.

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The French World Cup winner is tipped to eventually succeed Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the planet.

So watching the gradual succession to the crown at first hand would surely tempt PSG's money-man.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are 12/1 fifth favourites, with Liverpool rated ninth at 201/ and Barca's fierce rivals Real Madrid a mischievous bet at 66/1.