The time when Messi turned down Manchester City

Back in 2017, Lionel Messi was believed to be close to signing for Manchester City for an offer of 286 million euros plus 57m euros as a signing bonus.

Three years later, the Argentine is now being linked again with the Sky Blues after telling Barcelona that he wants out this summer.

In an interview for TyC Sports in 2018, Messi noted that he wasn't then contemplating a move to Manchester City to join his friend Sergio Aguero.

"You think of other leagues, such as the Premier league, but at the time of taking a decision it is very difficult to leave Barcelona," he said back then.

"I'm not going to Manchester City.

"If [playing with Aguero] happens, it is because he is coming here [to Barcelona]."

Messi renewed his contract with Barcelona in 2017 and Manchester City president Khaldoon Al Mubarak accepted that the negotiations came to a dead end.

Now, though, the Etihad is once again an option.

As a condition to join the Premier League side, though, Messi reportedly wants Pep Guardiola to remain at the club beyond 2021.