Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told confidants he is convinced Lionel Messi can be prised away from Barcelona.

With an agreed new contract yet to be signed, Messi can be bought for the €300m set as a buyout clause in his current deal - which is now inside it's final year.

Diario Sport says dining with friends and staff this week, Guardiola confessed he could see Messi being tempted away from his former club.

Guardiola is upset over the state of Barca, but they won't stop him from moving for Messi if City are offered encouragement.

Interestingly, after Monday's draw with Everton, Guardiola was coy over a move for the Argentine: "If someone has €300m to pay (for Messi), they could do it..."