Manchester City are ready to close on a deal for Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi after manager Pep Guardiola penned terms yesterday.

The Mirror says City are determined to reunite Messi with Guardiola after tying their boss down to a new deal until 2023.

City will turn their attention to landing Messi and teaming him up with his former Barcelona boss Guardiola as their dream team to land the club's first Champions League crown.

Messi, out of contract next summer, is ready to leave Barca and City could even move for him as early as January, although a move for him as a free agent next year seems the likeliest scenario.

Argentina superstar Messi tried to leave Barca in the summer, but stayed to avoid a legal dispute with the club he has served throughout his glittering career, but he is set to leave at the end of this season.

City are determined to land the 33-year-old and believe the addition of arguably the greatest player of all time can be the final piece in the jigsaw to take them to Champions League glory.