Manchester City have been warned off a move for Lionel Messi by Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font, with the La Liga giants still confident that they can convince a talismanic presence to stay put.
As things stand, an exit door at Camp Nou still remains ajar.
Messi, who pushed for a move over the summer, is yet to commit to fresh terms in Catalunya.
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As his current deal is due to expire in 2021, the mercurial Argentine will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with any of his many suitors from January.