Barcelona president Joan Laporta has refused to deny Lionel Messi recommended Cristian Romero's signing.

While still with Barca over the summer, it was reported Messi urged Laporta to sign his Argentina teammate after their Copa America triumph. However, Barca chose to allow Romero to leave Atalanta for Tottenham.

Asked about the reports, Laporta said: "I will not go into the small details. I will preserve Messi's memory as it is."

Further on Messi, the president also stated: "Everything indicates that he already had the offer from PSG. Everyone knew that he had a very powerful offer. We knew that from Messi he had a very good offer."

Laporta indicated that he was not angry with the Argentine star.

"Because I appreciate him," he said, although he did admit that "when we see that it cannot be there is a certain disappointment on both sides. I know he had a huge desire to stay, but a lot of pressure because of the offer he had."