Barcelona are not willing to accept any Manchester City players in exchange for Lionel Messi this summer, according to reports.
News broke earlier this week that Messi wants to leave the Spanish giants on the back of their humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. The Argentine has submitted a transfer request and wants to leave the club on a free transfer.
City are interested in bringing Messi to the Premier League this summer but face many obstacles in securing the deal given the complicated circumstances surrounding his contract. Messi believes the clause that allows him to leave for free is still valid while Barcelona argue that clause expired in June.
Various reports have suggested City could offer players in exchange for Messi, with Eric Garcia and Angelino active targets for Barcelona, but Mundo Deportivo suggest the Spanish side are unwilling to accept any swap deals.
The same report states Barcelona are not interested in offering a price reduction on Messi and are adamant he will not leave for free.
Furthermore, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has reportedly refused to meet with their star forward and will only sit down with Messi to discuss a new contract.
Elsewhere, City have reportedly had an offer rejected for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
The Frenchman has been regularly linked with a move to the Etihad and starred for the Ligue 1 side during their Champions League victory against the Blues earlier this month.
Caught Offside claim City have emerged as front runners for his signature and made an initial £35million bid for the 22-year-old.
Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola, that reported bid was rejected by Lyon who remain hopeful of securing a fee closer to £62m for their prized asset.
Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to in negotiations over a move for Aouar.
