Pellegrini: Messi is a player that every manager would want

Manuel Pellegrini refused to talk about rumours linking Manchester City with a move for Lionel Messi.

Reports in The Sun on Friday suggested the Premier League club were readying an offer of over one million euros per week for the Barcelona star. 

Pellegrini, despite admitting he'd like Messi at the club, refused to comment on the story. 

"I don’t talk about rumours, but I think every manager of the world would like Leo Messi," the Chilan said.  

He was also asked about COPE's story claiming Pep Guardiola will replace him at the end of the season.

Once again, he refused to indulge those present at the press conference with an answer. 

"I will answer exactly the same about Messi: I don’t talk about rumours," he said. 

"It’s a rumour we’ve here for the last two and a half years, so for me it’s not a problem."