Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Carl Markham

Lionel Messi: Man City deny they are in negotiations with Barcelona star

Photograph: REUTERS

Manchester City have distanced themselves from claims they are negotiating with Lionel Messi over a summer move to the Etihad.

The Barcelona forward is out of contract at the end of the season and the Argentina international has been continually linked to a reunion with his former manager Pep Guardiola.

However, club sources insist no offer has been made to the 33-year-old, either last summer or since, and there are no talks taking place.

The Argentine attempted to force an exit last summer only for then club president Josep Maria Bartomeu to block the move.

Speculation about his future has intensified with Messi in the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp.

Messi has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, one of the only other club likely to be able to afford the player’s reported £120million-plus a year salary, with new boss Mauricio Pochettino a known admirer.

Any move to the French capital would see him reunited with former teammate Neymar, who left Spain for Paris back in 2017.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.