Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wanted to raid former club Barcelona for sensational swoops for Lionel Messi and Neymar, claim reports.
Mundo Deportivo have reportedly 'verified' information from The Sun newspaper that City held three rounds of talks for Messi and Neymar, with the aim of signing one of them in summer to satisfy new manager Guardiola.
However neither player wanted to leave Camp Nou 'right now' and it appears unlikely that either move will ever take place.
Ferran Soriano – City's sporting director and former Barca vice president – had made contact with Messi to discuss a 'potential change of scenery', with the hope that with off-field issues regarding the Argentine's tax issues coupled with yet further Copa America disappointment and the chance to play with international team-mate Sergio Aguero, he may be willing to make a move.
The report also claims that Guardiola's side were the 'other team' who had held talks with Neymar, along with PSG, Real Madrid and Manchester United, but the Brazilian committed his long-term future to Barcelona.
