Manchester City chief insists "no chance" of signing Barcelona star Lionel Messi

Manchester City sporting director Ferran Soriano has claimed that there is "no chance" of the club signing Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The North-West outfit have been linked to the Argentina international in the past, and the rumours intensified when Pep Guardiola became manager.

The Spaniard already has a relationship with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, having coached the attacker during a four-year spell as manager of Barcelona.

However, even though City have the financial clout behind them, Soriano has told fans that signing Messi would not be possible.

"There is no chance of signing Messi," Goal.com quotes the sporting director as saying. "I know him and his family well and I know they are fine in Barcelona, which is where he needs to be.

"We will make our way without him, which will be more difficult because he is the best player in the history of football. He changed everything, he is a genius."

Meanwhile, City are on the verge of lifting the Premier League title, requiring just two more wins to do so.