The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Manchester City eye possible reinforcements.
The 2018-19 champions did not bring in a single player during the January transfer window, despite suffering a defensive shortage for much of the 2019-20 campaign, but they have already started their business for the summer.
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 'close to securing Lionel Messi signing, new Pep Guardiola deal'
© Reuters
Manchester City are reportedly close to completing two major pieces of business by signing Barcelona's Lionel Messi and tying manager Pep Guardiola down to a new contract.
City are understood to be leading the race for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi after he submitted a transfer request at Barcelona earlier this week.
Such a move would see Messi reunite with Guardiola, under whom he won four of those six Ballons d'Or at Barca, although Guardiola's current deal is due to expire next summer.
However, The Mirror reports that signing Messi would convince Guardiola to put pen to paper on a new three-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona remain desperate to keep their talismanic captain but have begun planning for life without him, and Man City are one of the only clubs in world football that could realistically afford the 33-year-old.
Before handing in a transfer request, Messi is reported to have spoken to Guardiola about the possibility of joining City and the likelihood of the manager staying beyond the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
Guardiola has already spent longer at Man City than he had in any previous job, but would reportedly be willing to extend his stay by another three years if Messi was to join.
Senior Barcelona figures 'expect Lionel Messi to join Manchester City'
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Barcelona reportedly expect Lionel Messi to eventually join Manchester City during the summer transfer window.
Despite the 33-year-old expressing a desire to leave Camp Nou, it remains unclear whether the Catalan giants are prepared to negotiate a deal with any one of a number of interested parties.
However, with doubts emerging over the validity of a previous release clause and Messi's contract expiring in 2021, the La Liga runners-up may have to take any offers into consideration.
According to The Telegraph, senior figures at Barcelona would be surprised if the Argentine did not link up with Pep Guardiola at Man City.
With the player said to be keen on a reunion with his former boss, attention is seemingly being turned to potential replacements.
Although plans were shelved regarding Lautaro Martinez earlier this summer, it is claimed that Barcelona could now launch a bid for the Inter Milan frontman.
More transfer news from Manchester City:
Lionel Messi release clause at Barcelona 'has expired'
The release clause of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, said to be £632m, is reportedly no longer active, boosting Manchester City's hopes of signing the Argentine. Read more.
Lionel Messi 'fails to report to Barcelona testing'
Lionel Messi fails to report for coronavirus testing with Barcelona, leaving him out of contention to resume training with the Catalan giants. Read more.
