Lionel Messi ‘considering’ leaving Barcelona as Manchester City meet with Argentine’s camp

MANCHESTER CITY have met with Lionel Messi's camp to discuss a potential world-record transfer, according to reports.

And the Barcelona superstar is "seriously considering" leaving the club, reports the .

City are supposedly ready to meet Messi's £275million buy-out clause.

The Premier League giants are said to have met with Messi's representatives in a Barcelona restaurant last week to try and broker an historic deal.

Messi, 30, agreed a new four-year contract with Barca last month which would have made him the highest paid player on the planet.

But Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre incredibly revealed the deal is yet to be signed.

And while City are willing to meet the Argentine's eye-watering buy-out clause, they could reportedly try and sign him on a FREE ahead of next season when his contract runs out.

The meltdown the Catalan club have suffered this transfer window is said to be dissuading Messi from putting pen to paper.

Barca reluctantly sold Neymar - a player they were planning to build their future around - to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record £198m this month.

And the they have failed in their attempts to replace him.

Ernesto Valverde's side have seen three bids rejected by Liverpool for Philippe Coutinho, while a move for Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele is taking longer than expected.

Injury to Luis Suarez has highlighted the impact of Neymar's departure on the pitch.

Messi was left frustrated against Real Betis yesterday after hitting the post THREE times - just as his former team-mate was celebrating his second goal of the night against Toulouse.

Messi has close ties to City through old boss Pep Guardiola, who was Nou Camp manager for three of his five Ballon d'Or wins.