Gary Lineker wants Manchester City to take advantage of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona situation to transform the club.

The sports pundit says the Argentine’s presence at Etihad would instantly change the club global status in months; something it normally takes years to build with big investment.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has admitted to the new coach, Ronald Koeman in a meeting Thursday that he has doubts over his future at Camp Nou, which senses his exit from the club when his current contract is over.

“It would be interesting to see whether Messi does stay or leave,” Lineker told talkSPORT.

 “And it would be very sad for Barcelona, but at the same time it would be very sad to see his last couple of years at the top just peter out in an ordinary team,” said Lineker.

“Imagine if he did come to the Premier League, say a club like Manchester City, which is the obvious link because of Guardiola.

READ ALSO:

Messi admits he will leave Barca

“With all the investment at City and the club want to turn into a global brand, who better than someone who had got hundreds of millions of fans all around the world?

“It would do it instantly. All of a sudden, Manchester City would have fans all over the world.

“For one of the new money clubs like City, it takes a long time to build that fan base.

“So you could see there would be an interest, and that’s aside from the fact he’s also the most magical footballer I think we’ve ever seen.”

The 33-year old was revealed by club president, Josep Bartomeu as the pillar of the new Barca under the Dutchman yet he seems not off with the devastation of Bayern Munich last week Friday in their 8-2 Champions League exit from the quarter-finals; something believed to be hunting Barca talisman.

With the relationship Messi has with Pep Guardiola, his favorite option is likely to be in the Premier League if he does leave the Blaugranas.

Messi’s refusal to extend his contract means he can negotiate with any team of his choice from next year.