A late world record swoop from Manchester City for Lionel Messi has been played down.

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken to Twitter to express fears that City are prepared to pay Messi's €300m buyout clause before the market shuts.

However, Sport says City sources insist there's no plans to move for Messi over the next two weeks.

It's suggested the origin of the story has come from claims of City owner Sheikh Mansour declaring they were preparing for 'the greatest transfer in City's history'.

However, it's claimed the quotes have never been confirmed.