Lionel Messi's buyout clause at Barcelona can be met: Manchester City's Pep Guardiola

Manchester: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s statement surrounding Lionel Messi’s future with Barcelona has left the Citizens spine-tingling after admitting a staggering deal worth €300 ‘might happen’.

The Premier League giants have been linked with a mega blockbuster move to lure Barcelona’s poster boy to the shores of England, as the Argentine is yet to commit his future to his boyhood club.

Neymar’s shock move to Paris Saint-Germain a few weeks earlier took the football world by storm, as the oil-rich club decided to trigger his €222 million release clause, making the Brazilian the most expensive footballer. Manchester City who is also financially backed by Arab owners could smash that record with multiple reports suggesting the English outfit could make a move for the Argentine international.

Speaking at a press conference after his side’s 1-1 draw with Everton, Guardiola said: "Someone might have [the money] and if they have the money and want to spend it, it might happen."

Barcelona previously announced in July that a new lucrative contract was in place for Messi, making him the most expensive player in Spain on a four-year-deal. However, the five time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with his current contract set to expire on January 1st, 2018.

Benedito, a former candidate for the Barcelona board, believes the 30-year-old is still vague about his commitment to Ernesto Valverde’s side.

"They've been leaving the renewal of Messi, the most important player, until the end... and with it still not signed, it's a concern," Benedito told Onda Cero and Radio Marca.

"Messi's case could be worse than Neymar's because, as things stand, from January 1, he's free. Messi has always wanted a competitive team and the situation is a worry. [Barcelona president Josep Maria] Bartomeu said Messi had signed his renewal in June and that's not the case. Bartomeu has not been able to conclude Messi's renewal. If Messi hasn't signed the renewal, it's because he's unsure, "Benedito added.

The Catalan club has endured a frustrating transfer window following Neymar’s sale to PSG, facing dissent occasionally from Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool over prime targets Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho.