Man Utd and Man City in £1billion battle for world superstars including Barcelona duo

Messi and Neymar are priority targets for Manchester United and Manchester City

 

MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City are locked in a fierce £1billion transfer battle, according to reports.

 

The two club's are keen to attract some of the world's biggest superstars next summer with Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Neymar topping the list.

Both Manchester clubs are set to go head-to-head in their attempts to lure the duo away from the Nou Camp, according to The Sun.

United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has reportedly held talks with Neymar over a move to Old Trafford in recent months and the Brazilian is tempted by a big-money move.

 

But City are ready to rival their efforts with transfer guru Khaldoon Al Mubarak trying to pull of a move for Messi, with the Argentine's representative's blown away by the sum being offered.

Two of the Premier League's biggest clubs will also go up against one another in the race for several other big names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale Thomas Muller and Paul Pogba.

Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti are another two high profile candidates included in the the £1billion battle, according to the report.

 

Lionel Messi has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Nou Camp in the summer

Chelsea and Arsenal are also said to be in the hunt for a number of the names mentioned, but it is a clear two-horse race between City and United for Messi and Neymar.

Both clubs aren't concerned about the £165m buyout clause in Neymar's contract or their expensive pursuit of Messi, due to the new Premier League TV deal set to finalised this year.