Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has refuted reports that the club are plotting a big-money move for Barcelona star Lionel Messi this summer.

Spanish media outlets have suggested that the former Premier League champions are prepared to stump up the cash to reach the Argentina star's buyout clause at the end of the season.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Pellegrini responded to the story in Friday's press conference by raising his eyebrows, smiling and saying: "Just rumours."

Reports have claimed that the buyout clause in the former Ballon d'Or winner's contract is more than £165m.