Xavi laughs off Manchester City, Lionel Messi link

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has laughed off suggestions that Lionel Messi could be prised away from the Catalan outfit by Premier League side Manchester City.

City have been linked with a world-record move for the Argentine at the end of the season, with some reports claiming that Barcelona could be prepared to sell for a significant sum.

However, Xavi has insisted that "there is no transfer fee that could make it a good deal for Barcelona", who host City in the last-16 Champions League second leg this evening.

"Of course there will always be stories about the best player in the world and in my opinion the best player ever - but Manchester City and any other team can forget about signing Messi," Xavi told Goal.com.

"There is no transfer fee that could make it a good deal for Barcelona - and as everybody who knows him knows - he loves the club and has made it clear he never wants to leave."

Messi has been with Barcelona since 2000.