Club statement regarding Lionel Messi

MANCHESTER CITY Football Club note with interest the reports circulating in the Spanish media that the club has made an offer to the Barcelona player Lionel Messi and that he has turned down the chance to join the club.

While acknowledging that Lionel Messi is a world-class player of the highest calibre, Manchester City would like to make it clear that the club has at no time made an approach to Mr Messi or his representatives.

>>mcfc.co.uk

Expect plenty of rumour and denial this summer, but I imagine any transfer negotiations (expecially high profile ones) that do take place will be very low profile given the fall out from the failed Kaka bid.