Manchester City have decided not to make a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and have ended their pursuit, according to reports.
Messi endured a high-profile fallout with the Barcelona board during the summer, where he handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force an exit.
That immediately led to suggestions of a reunion with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, with those rumours surfacing once again after the City boss penned a new two-year deal.
However, Spanish football expert Semra Hunter, via Sky Sports, now says that City have gone cold on their pursuit of the Argentine, with his wages and age said to be of concern.
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However, earlier this year, Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada told M.E.N Sport that City could afford to sign Messi if the opportunity were to arise.
Messi has spent the entirety of his career with Barcelona but the 33-year-old sees his contract at the club expire at the end of the season when it is widely anticipated he will depart the Nou Camp.
As one of the few clubs in world football who could finance a deal for Messi, City’s name is likely to continue to be linked with a move to the Premier League.
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Elsewhere, the Telegraph states Pep Guardiola has identified Benfica forward Darwin Nunez as a potential candidate to succeed Sergio Aguero as City’s main striker.
City have struggled to find consistency in front of goal in the Premier League so far this season, where Aguero has battled injury problems.
The striker is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season and may leave, which would leave a major void to be filled in the side.
Manchester City players resumed their Premier League campaign this weekend with a trip to London to play Tottenham Hotspur.
After Saturday’s match, the Blues are back in Champions League action as they travel to Greece to play Olympiacos on Wednesday evening.
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Guardiola is said to be prioritising the signing of a new forward after committing himself to a new contract and Nunez is one player under consideration.
The 21-year-old has impressed since joining Benfica and is regarded to be the next Edinson Cavani in South America but it is thought he needs further development before moving to the Premier League.
City are said to have other options and it’s added that Guardiola is also looking for a new left-back as his other priority in the market.