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Manchester City DENY they've 'offered Lionel Messi a contract worth £430m over five years' with talks yet to open in their chase of the superstar who becomes a free agent this summer

Manchester City have denied reports of a £430million contract offer to Lionel Messi.

Messi, 33, tried to force a move away from Barcelona last summer and had interest from former boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad - and it is looking increasingly likely he will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

According to The Sun, City offered the 33-year-old a five-year deal worth £600m last summer but have now presented the Barca captain with a new package of £430m.

The report claims the Premier League side are not prepared to match their previous offer due to the financial climate and that Messi is another year into his career.