Manchester City have already prepared a mega deal for Lionel Messi

The Lionel Messi saga may have begun but there's a long way to go before any type of conclusion is reached. Messi has told Barça he wants to leave and Barça have said he can only go if someone pays his €700m buyout clause.

A lot seems to be riding on the validity or not of the clause inserted into Leo's contract. The player believes he has the right to leave for nothing at the end of any season whereas Barça claim that clause expired on the 1st June. 

And then there's Manchester City, the team looking to have Messi lead their own project next season. Leo has supposedly contacted Pep Guardiola to let him know he wants a chance of scenery and will do his part to make it happen. City, however, must find a solution in which they can afford to bring him in without it financially crippling the club. 

City must carefully design an offer which sees them avoid any further FFP restrictions. The English club isn't willing to offer any more than 100 million but they are open to including up to three players in exchange. 

The three names mentioned as part of this incredible swap deal are Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva and Eric Garcia.  There isn't much interest in the Brazilian striker but Silva is someone the sporting department likes and there's already an agreement in place for Garcia to return home. City are hopeful this deal will be enough to get Barça to listen.