City lead chase to sign Messi

FAVOURITE Poch is one of three lined up for Barca job contract that allows him to leave for free at the end of every season expired at the end of May.

But City are now waiting for an indication from Messi that he will consider leaving his beloved Barcelona after 16 years.

His current £635million buy-out clause puts him out of the reach of every club, but Barcelona don’t have the money to finance the squad rebuild they so clearly need – and may be forced to sacrifice their most precious asset to make it happen.

Bartomeu has called a crisis meeting for tomorrow where he is likely to sack current manager Quique Setien, while sporting director Eric Abidal’s position will also come under scrutiny.

And former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is among the favourites to take over the Nou Camp hotseat.

The Argentine, 48, is on a short-list of three candidates – with former Barcelona aces Xavi and Ronald Koeman also strong contenders.