Manchester City serious about pursuing Lionel Messi this summer?

On the same day that Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman reportedly told Luis Suarez the striker's contract with the club could soon be terminated, ESPN's Moises Llorens and Rodrigo Faez dropped a transfer rumor bombshell involving superstar Lionel Messi and Premier League outfit Manchester City.

Per that report, City officials are attempting to determine if the club can make a legitimate move for the 33-year-old seen by many as the greatest modern player in history without violating Financial Fair Play protocols. City recently faced a two-year ban from European competitions due to alleged FFP breaches but had that decision overturned in July.

Last week, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu told Barca TV that Messi was part of his plans moving forward, but ESPN reported on Friday that at least one powerful person within the club had pushed for Barca to sell the Argentina international if he doesn't wish to re-sign past the 2020-21 season.

Messi reportedly has a €700 million release clause attached to his rights that City or any other team likely couldn't match amid financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Barcelona's crushing 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League confirmed a trophyless campaign that included rivals Real Madrid winning La Liga and a disappointing Copa del Rey exit in the quarterfinal round of that competition. If Messi is convinced a Barcelona side he referred to as "weak" in July is on the cusp of a multi-year rebuild, he could force a move from the Catalan city to pursue a Premier League crown and at least one more Champions League title.