Pep Guardiola is reportedly closing in on a new contract at Manchester City.
The 49-year-old's current deal runs out at the end of the season and he has strongly been linked with a return to Barcelona.
Yet the Telegraph report that there is a belief among those close to Guardiola that he will extend his stay at City, and if that happens it bring a possible move to bring Lionel Messi to the Etihad back into focus.
This is currently Guardiola's longest spell at a club, having spent four years at Barcelona before having a sabbatical and then taking charge of Bayern Munich for three years.
He penned a three-year contract extension in 2018 and said the following year that he was open to extending his deal beyond 2021 but there has yet to be confirmation of a new agreement.
Despite this, Guardiola has shot down talk of a return to the Nou Camp.
The resignation of controversial president Josep Bartomeu has set in motion an election campaign to take over the running of Barca, with candidate Victor Font voicing his desire to bring Guardiola back to the Nou Camp.
"Most of the best professionals who know about this style are also fans and love the club, like Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol," Font told Sky Sports News.
"They are all legends that love Barcelona but do not work for Barca today - we need to bring them back to ensure we will have a very competitive project.
"The only thing Lionel Messi needs is to know he is part of a competitive project that aspires to win the next Champions League."
According to Argentine outlet El Chiringuito, via SportWitness, City 'continue to be in the lead' for Messi's signature and they are the 'best placed' team to do sign him.
However, it's reported, 'two very important factors' as to why that is the case is because his former manager Guardiola and close friend Aguero are both at the Blues.
It's claimed that if Messi is to move to Manchester then he would need both of them to stay.
Guardiola has always maintained his time at Barcelona is over.
He said: "As manager of Barcelona my time is over. I lived my period there.
"Ronald Koeman is there, I respect him. He is an incredible friend of mine. It belongs for other people."
Guardiola's stance has increased hopes of an extended stay at the Etihad Stadium.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was asked about Guardiola's contract situation ahead of this season and appeared at ease.
He said: "Pep and I have a very clear understanding about what is right for the club and what is not.
"We have a clear alignment in terms of where we see the future and what we want in terms of success for the club."
