Pep Guardiola Responds To Failed Lionel Messi Pursuit

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has finally broken his silence on Lionel Messi staying with FC Barcelona after he was linked with a move to England.

Messi was heavily linked with a move to the Citizens in recent weeks after reportedly handing in a transfer request after the humiliating loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League last month.

The Argentine ended any chance of a departure this season after announcing he will be staying at the club for another campaign.

It remains to be seen if Messi will sign a new deal with one year remaining, but Guardiola did not have much to say about his former player.

"I don't need to explain anything. Leo explained it quite well I think and I don't have anything to add," he said, as per Goal.

"We don't have anything more to add. He is a football player for FC Barcelona - the club I love."

1) Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea) – €80 million

10) Leroy Sane (Manchester City to Bayern Munich) – €45 million

9) Nathan Ake (Bournemouth to Manchester City) – €45.3 million

7) Ben Chilwell (Leicester City to Chelsea) – €50.2 million

6) Timo Werner (RB Leipzig to Chelsea) – €53 million

5) Alvaro Morata (Chelsea to Atletico Madrid) – €56.6 million

4) Miralem Pjanic (Juventus to FC Barcelona) – €60 million

3) Victor Osimhen (Lille to Napoli) – €70 million

2) Arthur (FC Barcelona to Juventus) – €72 million

8) Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain) – €50 million

The Citizens have already boasted their squad with the signings of defender Nathan Ake and Spain international Ferran Torres.

Related tags