Saturday's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup: Lionel Messi, Dayot Upamecano, Ozan Kabak

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.

Saturday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:

Lionel Messi 'demands both Pep Guardiola and Segrio Aguero stay at Man City if he is to join'

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Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi will reportedly only be open to joining Manchester City if both Pep Guardiola and Sergio Aguero remain on the books at the Etihad.

City were regarded as the favourites to land Messi's signature in the summer transfer window after the Argentine handed in a transfer request at Barca, only for the 33-year-old to stay put amid a dispute regarding his release clause.

However, Messi is currently in the final year of his contract at Camp Nou and does not appear to be anywhere close to penning an extension, meaning that the Citizens could snap up the six-time Ballon d'Or winner for free next year.

Nevertheless, Argentine outlet El Chiringuito reports that while City are still at the head of the queue for Messi, the forward will only consider a move if Aguero and Guardiola both stay.

Messi's national teammate Aguero is out of contract at the Etihad next summer and has been linked with a return to his native Argentina, whereas former Barcelona manager Guardiola is also yet to pen an extension on his existing deal at Man City - currently due to run out in 2021.

Paris Saint-Germain were also tipped to make a sensational move for Messi over the summer, but the forward's father has since dismissed talk of his son heading to the French capital.

Liverpool 'make Dayot Upamecano top transfer target'

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Liverpool have reportedly identified RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano as their leading transfer target.

The Reds are widely expected to move for a new central defender during the January transfer window, having lost both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term knee injuries.

A number of players have been linked with the Premier League champions in recent weeks, including Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak and Real Madrid's Eder Militao.

However, according to The Athletic, Jurgen Klopp's side have made Upamecano their leading target, with Leipzig seemingly facing an uphill task to keep the 22-year-old.

The report claims that Liverpool had initially wanted to wait until next summer to move for the Frenchman as a €45m (£39.9m) release clause will come into play ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

However, the club's injury situation, which has also recently seen them lose stand-in central defender Fabinho, could force their hand at the start of 2021.

Manchester United and Manchester City are also both allegedly interested in signing Upamecano, who has made 10 appearances for Leipzig during the 2020-21 campaign.

More transfer news from Manchester City:

Manchester United, Manchester City 'pledge interest in Dayot Upamecano'
Manchester United and Manchester City reportedly register an interest in RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano ahead of the summer transfer window. Read more.

Wolves 'increasingly annoyed' with Adama Traore contract standoff
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly becoming increasingly frustrated in their efforts to confirm a new contract for Adama Traore. Read more.