Lionel Messi rumours leave Pep Guardiola on high alert

Pep Guardiola could welcome an old friend to Manchester City after a former Barcelona president claimed there is a “conspiracy” to sell Lionel Messi.

Former Barca president Joan Laporta believes “certain powers” at the Catalunya giants want rid of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Though Messi is rumoured to have agreed a new contract at the Nou Camp two weeks ago, Laporta – who made Guardiola first-team coach while president – thinks the Argentinean is being pushed out of the door.

“There are certain powers who want Messi to no longer be a Barca player,” Laporta said.

“The club has let the player down, the best player in history, the best player in the world. We have a president and a board that didn’t accompany him when he had to testify in court.”

According to the Manchester Evening News, City are trying to quell any hopes of Messi ever leaving Barcelona, but they are nevertheless primed to profit if he does.

Given the close and incredibly successful relationship Guardiola and Messi shared at Barcelona, as well as an existing bond with City chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain, they would surely lead any race to sign the 29-year-old.

Messi and his Barcelona team-mates are currently involved in a six-day pre-season training camp at England’s St. George’s Park before their friendly with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Sportsbeat 2016