Monday's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup: Lionel Messi, Phil Foden, Marcus Thuram

The summer transfer window has now closed, with Manchester City having again focused on bolstering their defence first and foremost.

Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias arrived for a combined sum of more than £100m, while Ferran Torres was another notable signing. Attention will now switch to the January window as Pep Guardiola's side attempt to win back the Premier League title.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Etihad.

Monday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:

Toni Freixa: 'Lionel Messi would have to accept pay cut to sign new Barcelona deal'

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Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa has claimed that Lionel Messi would have to accept a pay cut in order to sign a new contract with the Catalan giants.

Messi's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and it is widely thought that the Argentine, who attempted to leave in the recent transfer window, will move on at the end of the season.

Manchester City are thought to be the favourites for the 33-year-old, who has only scored once in six league appearances during the 2020-21 campaign.

There is still a chance that Messi could pen a new deal with Barca, but Freixa has warned the South American that he would have to take a pay cut due to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

"With Leo we will speak calmly, face-to-face with Barcelona's best at the horizon," Freixa told El Curubito. "To him, as to all the players who have to renew or sign, we will make an offer that, of course, will not be feasible to match the terms that he has had until now.

"It's evident, and the members cannot be deceived, that the proposal that will be presented to him will not be the same as the one he has had until now, because income has fallen significantly and it will be necessary to find another formula.

"You don't have to conquer Messi or convince him with other things. You have to look him in the eye and talk with him to know what each party wants, what he wants and what Barcelona want. We think Messi still has a lot of football left to play."

Messi is yet to score from open play for Barca this season, with all four of his goals coming from the penalty spot.

Phil Foden set to treble wages with new Manchester City deal?

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Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is reportedly set to put pen to paper on a lucrative new deal at the Etihad Stadium which would see his wages increase threefold.

The England international has enjoyed an impressive start to proceedings in the 2020-21 campaign, notching up three goals and two assists in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's men.

Foden came under fire after being sent home from the England camp in Iceland for breaching COVID-19 guidelines, but the 20-year-old has since regained Gareth Southgate's trust and is in the squad for the upcoming November international fixtures.

Now, The Mirror claims that Foden is set to be rewarded for his performances with a new contract at Man City, with his current weekly wage of £25,000 being bumped up to £75,000.

The report also claims that the midfielder can look forward to pocketing a £9,000 win bonus so long as he agrees to the fresh terms, with the powers-that-be at the Etihad confident of Foden doing so in the new year.

Foden could be handed another start by Guardiola in City's showdown with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

More transfer news from Manchester City:

Manchester City 'to battle for Marcus Thuram's signature'
Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Marcus Thuram emerges as a transfer target for Manchester City, according to a report. Read more.

Micah Richards "astonished" Manchester City did not sign a striker over summer
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards is "astonished" that his former club did not sign a new striker over the summer. Read more.