Guardiola is “not worried” about Messi signing

England champions Manchester City’s team manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed rumors of a possible signing of Lionel Messi. “We just spent 40 million on Jack Grealish. We paid 100 million pounds and we took 60 million from transfers. And he will wear the number 10,” Guardiola said on Friday.

“We were convinced of Grealish and that Leo would stay at Barca. We are not worried about him at the moment.”

On Thursday, FC Barcelona announced that Messi would leave the club after 21 years. Guardiola trained the six-time world footballer there from 2008 to 2012. The Citizens, who at the same time announced Grealish’s commitment from Aston Villa for the equivalent of 118 million euros, were recently repeatedly considered to be a hot prospect. Paris St. Germain is also traded as a possible candidate.

Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed the general interest in star striker Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. “If Tottenham doesn’t want to negotiate, it’s over. If they want to negotiate, not only ManCity but all the top clubs in the world will try to get him. It’s different from Jack – Jack had a release clause.” Kane, who was runner-up in Europe with England, is said to want to leave the Spurs.