BARCELONA boss Ronald Koeman has frustratedly shut down all questioning over Lionel Messi’s future.
The Argentine could leave the Nou Camp next summer when his contract comes to an end.
Koeman, 57, has sought to shut down Messi exit talkCredit: Reuters
Messi, 33, wanted to quit last summer, after growing tired of Josep Maria Bartomeu’s tenure as club president.
A move failed to materialise, after it became apparent that Barca’s iconic No10 would have to take his boyhood club to court.
But speculation around his future remains rife.
SunSport revealed this week that Manchester City are willing to try and sign Messi in January.
But when asked about whether his star man will leave, Koeman, 57, looked to shut things down.
He said: “No, and I won’t say any more about this.”
And when later pushed more, he reiterated: “I won’t take any more questions on this.”
City boss Pep Guardiola, who signed a new deal this week, has elaborate more on his thoughts over Messi’s future.
Pep Guardiola has spoken out on Lionel Messi’s futureCredit: Reuters
He said: “He’s a player for Barca, and if you ask my opinion, I have a huge gratitude for what Barca has done for me, as a player, manager.
“They gave me everything so what I want is for him to finish his career there.
“I’ve said maybe a thousand times as a Barca fan. That’s what I would like.
“But he’s a year to finish and I don’t know what happens in his mind.
“He’s a Barca player and the transfer market is in July. We have targets to achieve and this is all we have in our minds.
“The rest I cannot say anything else as always.”
Pep Guardiola admits Lionel Messi’s future is up in the air as Man City plan transfer bid for unsettled Barcelona star
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
