Manchester United have reportedly made two approaches for Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi in the last three weeks.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, United have sounded out the future availability of the Argentine to gauge whether a move is possible.
The newspaper claims that any deal would have to wait until 2017-18 on the assumption that new manager Jose Mourinho can return the club to the Champions League in the upcoming season.
Sources from the Messi camp refused to rule out a future transfer, admitting that the 28-year-old has grown "frustrated and hurt" in recent weeks by the media circus that has engulfed his trial for alleged tax avoidance.
United are thought to be in the market for big-money moves and have reportedly made approaches for Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Gareth Bale in recent months, while a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's departing frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be concluded imminently.
Neil Wilkes
