Manchester City linked with £100m Messi bid

(GETTY IMAGES)

Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi has quashed rumours that he is destined to leave the club.

Reports linked Manchester City with a £100m bid for the Argentinean playmaker but he insists he's going nowhere.

Messi told Portuguese newspaper Publico: "If it were up to me, I would stay at Barcelona until I finish my career. I will stay as long as they want me and no club can persuade me to do the opposite."

Manchester City remain determined to sign a marquee name having missed out on AC Milan player Kaka.

The Eastland's club have signed numerous players since their summer takeover, including Shay Given, Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy, but have been frustrated with their inability to sign the star names that the owners crave.

Robinho, who was bought for a British transfer record of £32.5m, remains the only big name player to have been attracted to Mark Hughes' side, yet reports suggest he could leave the club in the summer.