The season has not yet ended but the rumours surrounding potential closed season signings have already started with moneybags Manchester City at the heart.

 

Since being taken over last year by Abu Dhabi United Group, they have paid over £30M for Robinho, failed to land Kaka despite a purported £100M deal on the table, and been linked with a host of other players. However, the club have moved swiftly to deny the latest episode of the Eastlands saga by issuing a formal statement distancing themselves from a reported move for Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

A ludicrous figure of £150M was mentioned in Spanish papers but City have categorically denounced the idea. "Manchester City Football Club note with interest the reports circulating in the Spanish media that the club have made an offer to the Barcelona player Lionel Messi and that he has turned down the chance to join the club," read the statement. "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."