Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'to sign new striker regardless of Lionel Messi deal'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 11 February 2021

A report claims that Manchester City are determined to sign a new striker in the summer whether they are successful landing unsettled Barcelona ace Lionel Messi or not.

Manchester City will reportedly push ahead with plans to bring in a new striker, regardless of whether they are successful in their pursuit of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The Citizens have been without club-record goalscorer Sergio Aguero for the vast majority of the season, leaving Gabriel Jesus as their only out-and-out recognised striker.

Aguero is now expected to move on in the summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to his decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium.

City have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, with Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku rumoured to be top of Pep Guardiola's wishlist.

However, Guardiola has also been tipped to reunite with Messi and, according to 90min, City will still look to bring in a player of Lukaku's calibre even if they manage to land the Barcelona ace.

Erling Braut Haaland, who has scored 38 goals in 40 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since joining 13 months ago, is another reported target for the Premier League leaders.