Get the biggest City transfer window stories, analysis and updates delivered straight to your inbox Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of legendary Argentine forward Lionel Messi after he agreed a 50% pay cut to stay at Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola had been keen to reunite with Messi, whose Camp Nou contract expired at the end of last month and is currently a free agent, with the player very open to a move to City last summer when he tried to publicly force his way out of the club.
But after an impressive season with his boyhood club, Messi is seemingly happy once again and has now reportedly agreed a new deal with the club that will extend his stay for three seasons in La Liga.
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