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Manchester City respond to Messi transfer rumors

Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona
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The Premier League leaders have ended their silence regarding talk of a possible transfer for Messi.

Manchester City have denied making any offer to Lionel Messi, with whom they have held ‘no talks’ with whatsoever.

Transfer speculation on Messi’s future grows more intense with each passing week. The Barcelona captain is out of contract in the summer, meaning he is free to begin talks with non-Spanish clubs over a free transfer. City and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are the reported favorites to sign him.

But a City spokesperson has reportedly informed Sky Sports that the club board has made no offer to Argentine, nor have there been talks at this stage.

This announcement comes in light of a report from The Sun newspaper that claimed City are preparing a £430m offer.

It’s understood that Messi has decided against beginning talks with foreign clubs. He has allegedly decided to leave a decision on his future until the end of the season and is growing weary of the constant speculation.

The upcoming presidential elections at Barcelona next month will play a decisive factor in the 33-year-old’s future. Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font are the three candidates competing for the role.

The club’s performance on the pitch, meanwhile, will also play a decisive impact. Therefore, Messi’s full focus lies on overturning Barcelona’s 4-1 aggregate deficit to PSG in the Champions League last-16, a 2-0 aggregate deficit to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, and closing the nine-point gap to leaders Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

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