Football rumours: Messi's father in England discuss rumoured Man City deal

Speculation is rife that Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi will be reunited at Manchester City (Peter Byrne/PA/Michael Regal/Pool/PA)

What the papers say

The chances of Lionel Messi joining Manchester City have grown with news his father is in England to discuss the deal, according to the Sun. Messi’s admission that he wants to leave Barcelona has put Europe’s major clubs on alert and City – coached by Messi’s former manager Barca Pep Guardiola – are said to be front-runners. The Sun says Jorge Messi is in England to discuss his 33-year-old son joining City, although doubt remains over whether the striker can leave Barcelona for free. Paris St Germain and Manchester United have reportedly dropped out of the chase, leaving City short-priced favourites to sign him.