Man City would slash intended Lionel Messi package by £170m if they open talks to land Barcelona star on free transfer

MANCHESTER CITY would slash the amount they are willing to pay Lionel Messi by £170million from what they had considered tabling six months ago.

City had looked at putting a £606m five-year playing deal plus commercial add-ons on the table for the Barcelona star when they were linked to signing him last summer.

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But SunSport understands they would now come up with a new package which would be worth a reduced £433m should a deal be brokered for him to sign on a free transfer this summer.

Messi, 33, is currently considering all options with his contract at Barca expiring in July – with City one of the major players in the race for his signature.

But the Premier League leaders would not be prepared to match the terms they would have been happy to offer back in August, believing the financial climate has changed and also taking into account he is another year along in his career.

The Messi camp, led by the Argentine’s father Jorge, asked for all clubs who were keen to sign the player to put their money where their mouths were in December by putting their cards on the table.

City took their time to go through the numbers before indicating their terms would change if the Messi camp wanted to start serious negotiations.

It is understood should formal talks begin in the coming months, they would want Messi on a two-year playing deal at the Etihad with a 12-month option, before committing to a further two seasons in MLS with New York City.

Part of the package drawn up is believed to then see him agreeing to stay for a total of eight years, carrying out ambassadorial duties across the City Football Group, which covers ten clubs across four continents including Melbourne City and Mumbai City.

That might include him playing a year in India or the UAE, depending on how fit he is as he approaches turning 40.

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In return, the six-time world footballer of the year would also be handed a holding in CFG which forms part of the overall £433m package on the table.

The make-up of the proposal would essentially see the financial commitment carried by CFG rather than going on City’s wage bill, ensuring no issues would arise around Financial Fair Play.

No formal offer was made for Messi by City last summer, and talks are yet to be formally opened this year either.

The prospect of the £1m-a-week offer for a 33-year-old past his best seems outlandish, but even at this stage of his career Messi offers huge commercial value.

It has been claimed in Spain that Messi alone is worth as much as £260m annually in revenue to Barcelona, on the back of his status and global profile.

So tempting the brilliant forward to Manchester is seen as not only a move to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s options, but also as a sound strategic and commercial move.

Shirt sale profits are negligible, but the real value comes from the added potential to drive a series of new commercial opportunities around the world using the Messi brand.

Individually he offers a cut through to new markets City just do not have at present, so such a huge package would be is seen as something of a loss leader.