City deny Messi move

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Reports in Spain on Wednesday claimed City had offered a blockbuster 150million euro deal to buy out the remainder of the 21-year-old's contract with Barca, and then pay him a further 10 million euros a year to play at Eastlands.

But the club issued a statement denying any such approach had been made. "Manchester City Football Club note with interest the reports circulating in the Spanish media that the club has made an offer to the Barcelona player Lionel Messi and that he has turned down the chance to join the club," it read.

"While acknowledging that Lionel Messi is a world-class player of the highest calibre, Manchester City would like to make it clear that the club has at no time made an approach to Mr Messi or his representatives."

Earlier this month, City manager Mark Hughes hit out at the number of reports linking the club with players around the world since the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover of the club last summer.