Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract at Manchester City, which could see him reignite his chase for Lionel Messi.

Read: Furious Messi Explodes After Barca Return

The Spaniard has signed a two-year extension to his current deal, which was set to expire at the end of this season.

"Ever since I arrived at Manchester City, I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself – from the players, the staff, the supporters, the people of Manchester and the chairman and owner," Guardiola told the club's official website.

"Since then, we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies, and we are all very proud of that success.

"Having that kind of support is the best thing any manager can have. I have everything I could possibly want to do my job well and I am humbled by the confidence the owner, chairman, Ferran (Soriano, City CEO) and Txiki (Begiristain, director of football at City) have shown in me to continue for two more years after this season.

"The challenge for us is to continue improving and evolving, and I am very excited about helping Manchester City do that."

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Sources close to the club believe Pep's extension will also mean a new attempt to sign his former player, Messi, the Daily Mail reports.

The Argentine wanted to leave FC Barcelona in the most recent transfer window, but was forced to stay by then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board.

Messi's current contract, though, expires in June 2021, and he could sign a pre-contract with any interested club in January.

City may even try to attempt to sign him in January already, with Eric Garcia and a transfer fee potentially going the other way.

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