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Monday's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup: Lionel Messi, Gabriel Jesus, Romelu Lukaku

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Manchester City on Monday, November 23.

The summer transfer window has now closed, with Manchester City having again focused on bolstering their defence first and foremost.

Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias arrived for a combined sum of more than £100m, while Ferran Torres was another notable signing. Attention will now switch to the January window as Pep Guardiola's side attempt to win back the Premier League title.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Etihad.

Monday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:


Manchester City 'end Lionel Messi pursuit'

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi pictured on November 7, 2020© Reuters

Manchester City will make no attempt to prise Lionel Messi away from Barcelona, according to Spanish football expert Semra Hunter.

Having been at war with the powers-that-be at Camp Nou for the past few months, Messi continues to be linked with a move away from Camp Nou after initially submitting a transfer request in the summer.

City have been regarded as the favourites to land Messi ever since, but Hunter has claimed that Pep Guardiola's side have accepted that they cannot fund a move for the soon-to-be free agent amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hunter said: "I have it on good authority from someone close to the situation that Manchester City are not going to bid for Lionel Messi. Based on the information I have, as of today, that door is closed.

"They have two reasons for this: age and finances. Talking about age, he is heading into the twilight years of his career and you'll be bringing on board a Messi that is different to what we've seen for the last 17 years with Barcelona. Even he himself has said that he is getting closer to the dreaded r-word of retirement more so than anyone cares to admit.

"That goes hand-in-hand with finances because even though he would be able to join for free, his wages are astronomically high - he is earning about €100m (£89.2m) a year.

"That would be a huge financial burden for any club to take on, especially given the fact that we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Either you have to offload some of the highest earners or you have to sell off players or make other tweaks in other parts of the club depending on whatever formula a club would want to use to bring Messi on board.

"Perhaps, clubs would rather invest that money into bringing younger players in or bringing in reinforcements in positions where they actually need those reinforcements."

City manager Guardiola recently admitted that he would like to see Messi hang up his boots at Barcelona, where he boasts six goals and four assists across all competitions this season.



Manchester City 'lining up lucrative Gabriel Jesus deal'

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus pictured after scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020© Reuters

Manchester City are reportedly ready to offer Gabriel Jesus a new contract that will see the striker double his current salary.

The Citizens tied boss Pep Guardiola down to a new deal this week, while talks are ongoing with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden.

According to the Daily Star, Jesus is next in line for fresh terms after proving his importance to City this term in Sergio Aguero's absence.

Jesus, who still has two-and-a-half years to run on his existing contract, will supposedly earn close to £150,000 a week once he puts pen to paper.

The 23-year-old has scored 43 goals in 104 Premier League appearances since joining City from Palmeiras for £25m in January 2017.


More transfer news from Manchester City:

Manchester City 'considered Romelu Lukaku as Sergio Aguero replacement'
Manchester City considered moving for Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku over the summer, according to a report. Read more.

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Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona on October 31, 2020
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