Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has stated that if Pep Guardiola was to move to manage Manchester City, it could well convince Lionel Messi to move to the English club.

Reports in the press this week have stated that the Etihad Stadium outfit were ready to offer the Argentine superstar £800,000 per week to move to England.

Messi has been at Barcelona throughout his career, with it looking like the four-time Ballon d’Or winner could well end his playing days with the famous Camp Nou club.

However, Balague has stated that the potential appointment of Guardiola could well swing the door open for the South American superstar to follow him to Manchester.

"We have said already that there are three English clubs that have approached Messi's representatives saying we are willing to take you,” Balague told Sky Sports.

"At the moment, he is earning €40 million gross which would be about £ 35million - it's not that far from £800,000-a-week.

"My understanding is that nobody has reached a stage where wages have been discussed beyond the promise that he will earn more in England that he would in Spain.

"All those clubs are trying to do, and I'm sure City are one of them, is try to convince him. If Manchester City are to appoint Pep Guardiola as their coach, could that have an influence on Messi's decision? Absolutely.

"But you have to say the only thing that is certain is that Messi is at Barcelona, he wants to stay at Barcelona but the door has never been so open before. It doesn't mean he's going to move but it means that he is listening.”

Messi has recently come back to action for the Blaugrana after two months on the sidelines with injury, but despite the layoff is widely expected to win the Ballon d’Or for a record fifth time in January.

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