I never called Messi for Manchester City – Guardiola

By Daily Sports on October 19, 2016

Pep Guardiola has admitted he tried to sign Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the summer before eventually signing his teammate, Claudio Bravo.

But the Manchester City boss denied reports that he had tried to take four of his former Barca players to the Etihad in the summer, including Lionel Messi.

Guardiola wanted a new goalkeeper at the Etihad Stadium, who was comfortable with the ball at his feet and looked to the Nou Camp where Ter Stegen and Bravo were sharing their duties as a No. 1.

Ter Stegen was Barcelona’s cup keeper, featuring in the Blaugrana’s Champions League and Copa del Rey campaigns while Bravo played in La Liga matches.

The German international had previously indicated splitting time with Bravo was not in his best interest, but decided to stay with the Catalan club and is now fist choice for European and La Liga games after the Chilean keeper’s exit.

“I knew that [Ter Stegen] wanted to play all the time and I got in touch with him,” Guardiola told a news conference ahead of City’s Champions League with Barca on Wednesday.

“We needed a keeper like Claudio or Ter Stegen — we got Claudio and Ter Stegen stayed.”

However, the Catalan insisted he had not tried to sign any other players from the club he managed for four years, despite reports in Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claiming he wanted Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Sergio Busquets.

Guardiola said he hopes that Messi plays his entire career at Barcelona, but said there would be huge interest from the Premier League if he ever considered a move to England.

“I didn’t call any players on the phone — there are those that are lost before they’ve even started,” Guardiola said.

“This summer I never called Messi, Neymar, Busquets, Suarez or anybody. If ever I have called a Barca player it is because he doesn’t get playing time. And look, if I did, I would be well within my rights because Barca calls City players.

“I never called Messi — What I most want is for him to play here and finish his career here.

“But maybe he wants to go somewhere else, maybe he wants his kids to speak English.

“If it happens there would be a list of six, seven or eight clubs, who want to sign him and it will be down to Messi where he wants to go.

“I am lucky to have the chance to sit down and spell this all out today. If you don’t believe me, those who have published this and have a good relationship with Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu, they should call him and ask him themselves.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Pep Guardiola

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 19, 2016


 

You may also like...
Team Nigeria Prepares 750-Man Contingent for African Games...

Edo Deputy Governor makes history as player; grassroots...

Ten Hag Wants Ronaldo Man Utd Stay

Leicester face test of focus amid Euro drama...

Olympic runner dies in the pool

Kwara Utd Earn Late Victory In Katsina, Nasarawa...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,402 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,407 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,549 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,225 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,007 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,889 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,775 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,229 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,277 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,186 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,640 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,216 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media