Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has laughed off speculation that the club tried to lure Lionel Messi away from Barcelona with a staggering financial offer.
After months of speculation the 30-year-old finally put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the La Liga giants last week, announcing his intention to end his career with the side.
A report in Spanish publication Marca today alleged that City had gone to extreme lengths in order to sign Messi in recent months, offering him a wage of £850,000 a week in addition to a signing-on bonus of £88m.
"No, it's not true," ex-Barca boss Guardiola told reporters today. "Lionel Messi signed a contract a week ago, it was never going to happen.
"Lionel Messi started his career at Barcelona and he is going to finish it there.
"If he wanted to leave, he would not have signed a new contract."
During his 13 years at Camp Nou, Messi has won eight La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and five Copas del Rey.
Neil Wilkes
