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Tuesday's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup: Lionel Messi, John Stones, Lewis Dunk

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Manchester City on Tuesday, August 18.

The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Manchester City eye possible reinforcements.

The 2018-19 champions did not bring in a single player during the January transfer window, despite suffering a defensive shortage for much of the 2019-20 campaign, but they have already started their business for the summer.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Etihad.

Tuesday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:


Lionel Messi 'tells Barcelona he wants to leave this summer'

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi pictured on June 19, 2020© Reuters

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi has reportedly informed the Catalan giants of his desire to leave the club this summer.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is out of contract at Camp Nou in 2021, and speculation over Messi's future has only intensified following Barcelona's humiliating exit from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Off-the-field problems have also bedevilled La Blaugrana throughout the 2019-20 campaign, and Messi has supposedly made a decision on his future as the season draws to a close.

According to Esporte Interativo, Messi has told the Catalan giants that he wants to leave immediately after being left unimpressed by the direction that the club is heading in.

The report claims that Barcelona's failure to retain their La Liga title also played a key part in Messi's decision, and both Manchester City and Inter Milan have been tipped to move for the 33-year-old should he call time on his Barca career.

Messi has chalked up 634 goals from 731 appearances for La Blaugrana across all competitions, and the Barcelona captain has won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns in that time.



Graeme Souness tips Manchester United to move for Barcelona's Lionel Messi

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his 700th goal in their match against Atletico Madrid on June 30, 2020© Reuters

Pundit Graeme Souness has claimed that Barcelona forward Lionel Messi could "easily" end up at Manchester United this summer.

Despite his status at Camp Nou, Messi's future remains a constant topic for debate at a time when Barcelona are struggling both on and off the pitch.

With less than a year remaining on his contract at the Catalan giants, the likes of Manchester City and Inter Milan have been linked with approaches for the 33-year-old.

However, Souness feels that United may also take the opportunity to throw their hat into the ring for the Argentina international.

Referring to Barcelona's 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich on Friday night, Souness told The Times: "Lionel Messi looked like a man who has had enough of carrying that team. Without him they wouldn't even be good enough to qualify for the Champions League.

"This would be the perfect week to put a bid in for the 33-year-old Argentinian and I could easily see him playing in Manchester - at either United or City."

Barcelona are currently in a position where they will have to make player sales before being able to strengthen their first-team squad ahead of next season, while head coach Quique Setien is expected to be removed from his position in the dugout.


More transfer news from Manchester City:

Chelsea want John Stones and Lewis Dunk?
Chelsea will supposedly attempt to strike deals for centre-back pairing Lewis Dunk and John Stones during the summer transfer window. Read more.

Manchester City to trigger £25m Douglas Luiz buyback option?
Manchester City will look to trigger their £25m buyback option for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz during the summer transfer window, according to a report. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'considering Barcelona future'
Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi is currently considering his future at Camp Nou, according to a report. Read more.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Ben White 'wanted by every top six Premier League club'
Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White is supposedly wanted by a host of top Premier League sides following his performances for Leeds United in the 2019-20 season. Read more.

David Silva joins Real Sociedad after Manchester City exit
David Silva made the last of his 436 appearances for City in Saturday's Champions League quarter-final defeat to Lyon in Lisbon. Read more.

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Barcelona captain Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his 700th goal in their match against Atletico Madrid on June 30, 2020
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


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