Manchester City are crunching the numbers ahead of a possible move for Lionel Messi.

The Argentine is reportedly disgruntled at Barcelona after the club went a season without a trophy for first time since 2007/08.

ESPN says City understand a deal for Messi would be complicated but want to organise their finances should an opportunity arise.

Barca are sticking with their demand that clubs meet Messi's release clause of €700m.

However, it is believed there are some members of the Barca board who believe they could use the money from Messi's sale to reinvest in a team that clearly needs rebuilding.

Inter Milan have also strongly been linked with the 33-year-old, with PSG another option.

Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona and just the mention of his possible exit from the club has sent shockwaves around the footballing world.