Manuel Pellegrini refuses to discuss megabucks Lionel Messi transfer

Manuel Pellegrini has refused to discuss fresh rumours linking Manchester City with Lionel Messi.

After successive defeats, City boss Pellegrini insists today’s clash with Southampton is his priority, not fuelling speculation the club are about to make an audacious €1.1m per week offer for the Barcelona superstar.

And he will have to make do without Joe Hart for that game, after confirming the England goalkeeper will be out for around 10 days with a hamstring injury.