The Sun reported that City were lining up an astronomical bid to acquire the Argentine international's services, after wealthy businessman Sulaiman Al-Fahim had revealed his interest in him.

However the Premier League club made it clear that Al-Fahim is not entitled to make such a decision, playing down the British tabloid's claims.

"Following an article in The Sun newspaper which claimed that Manchester City are preparing a £100m bid for Lionel Messi, the club would like to make the following information clear," City stated on their official website.

"The story is untrue and this fact has been accepted by the newspaper in question. General comments about Lionel Messi, made by Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who holds no position at the club, were mistakenly linked to Manchester City.

"The article was printed in error and an apology to His Highness Sheikh Mansour, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim and a correction in Saturday's edition of the newspaper will follow."

City, who were bought by Abu Dhabi United Group last September, made a hefty offer of €108 million to land AC Milan's Kaka in the past January transfer window, but the Brazilian ace turned them down.