Reports have emerged that Manchester City have no plans to sign out-of-contract Barcelona star Lionel Messi this summer.

According to Diario Sport, the Argentine is not on the transfer shortlist of the Premier League leaders.

And that will be good news to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who has emphazised his determination to retain the services of the Argentine maestro.

It is claimed that City had an interest in signing Messi last summer, but that has now been discontinued as they are instead prioritising the arrival of a central striker.

Furthermore, the anticipation at the English club is that the Argentine superstar will renew his deal at the Camp Nou – and only a clear change on that front will alter their approach to the situation.

The 33-year-old is out of contract at the Catalan giants on 30 June and he has theoretically been free to speak to other clubs from January due to the expiration date.