Lionel Messi keen on Barcelona exit with Manchester City possibly in the mix

Lionel Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Manchester City are expected to be one of the clubs in the running to sign Lionel Messi after the Argentina international expressed his desire to leave the Nou Camp this summer.

Messi has informed the Spanish giants that he wants to depart and the PA news agency understands the 33-year-old sent a fax to the club on Tuesday asking to have his contract terminated.