Manchester are ready to put their fresh Chinese investment towards a bid for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

It was announced yesterday that Chinese CMC Holdings will acquire a 13 per cent stake in City, paying €380 million.

The Sun says City chiefs plan to use the cash raised towards a world record bid for Messi.

It emerged last week that City were willing to pay Messi £800,000-a-week to bring him to England next season.

And the extra cash raised by the CMC investment will help City put together an irresistible offer for Barca and Messi to consider.