LIONEL MESSI has reportedly been offered the biggest deal in sporting history to join Manchester City.
The 33-year-old is set to earn a mind-blowing £341,000-per-day if he makes the move from Barcelona.
Messi planned to leave the club on a free transfer after he handed in his transfer request.
But the situation turned sour as Barcelona claimed the clause that would allow him to do so has expired.
LaLiga jumped to the defence of the 26-time champions – and insisted he is tied down at the Nou Camp until 2021.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Breaking news, juicy gossip and the biggest deals
However, the latest reports are that Manchester City’s super-rich owners are ready to offer him an escape route.
With claims that a record contract is on the cards, SunSport have pulled together a list of the biggest deals in history.
Lionel Messi – £623m
It will come as no surprise that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is heading for the record books.
The £623million contract has been offered to him as a part of a five-year deal.
This means he will earn a whopping £124m-per-year, £10m-per-month and £2.4million-per-week.
Should he accept the alleged offer, he will spend three seasons with Manchester City then two years with New York City FC.
Patrick Mahomes – £402
NFL star Mahomes, 24, penned a ten-year contract extension worth £402m to stay with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The contract, which equates to £40.2m-per-year, also has a £112m injury guarantee.
Mike Trout – £341m
Los Angeles Angels tied down the eight-time MLB All-Star, 29, with a £341m contract.
The three-time American League Most Valuable takes home an incredible £28.3m-per-year during his 12 year deal.
Canelo Alvarez – £292m
When Mexican boxer penned an 11-fight deal with DAZN in 2018, it became the richest deal in sport.
The four-weight champion, 30, has a deal worth £292million – which averages out at £26.5m per fight.
Neymar – £278m
Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Neymar is the only other footballer that has made the list.
Following his £198m move to Paris Saint-Germain, the 28-year-old received a five-year deal worth £278m – meaning he pockets £55.6m-per-year.
Bryce Harper – £264m
In March 2019, right-fielder penned a 13-year deal with Philadelphia worth £264m.
At the time it was the largest contract in baseball history – worth £20.3m-per-year to the American ace, 27.
Giancarlo Stanton – £260m
The Marlins proved Stanton, 30, was irreplaceable as they offered him a 13-year deal worth £260m six years ago.
But the MLB star did not see out his £20m-per-year contract at the club as he joined the New York Yankees in 2017.
Geritt Cole – £258m
Cole, 29, was snapped up by the Yankees in 2019 when he was a free agent after leaving Houston Astros.
He accepted a nine-year deal worth a whopping £28.6m-per-year.
Manny Machado – £238m
After leaving the LA Dodgers, the five-time MLB all-star was wanted by the Padres and Chicago White Sox.
But the Padres lured the 28-year-old to their team with a 10-year deal with an annual salary of £23.8m.
Nolan Arendo – £207m
Last but not least on the list, Arendo pocketed £25.8m-per-year when he extended his deal with the Rockies.
The eight-year extension made the seven-time golden glove winner, 28, one of the highest earners in the MLB.
