Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has denied rumors that Manchester City made an audacious bid for Lionel Messi last month.
Reports in Spain suggested big-spending City had tabled €50 million plus striker Mario Balotelli to bring Argentina ace Messi to the Etihad Stadium, but Barca had rejected the bid.
However, Bartomeu insists no such offer was made.
He told Sport: "Our policy is not to sell our stars but on this subject it certainly did not (happen)."
Manchester City three of Messi's Argentina teammates on their books, with blockbuster summer signing Sergio Aguero joining Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta.
Messi's current contract with Barcelona, signed in September 2009, runs through the 2015-16 season, his €9.5 million annual salary making him on the highest paid players in the world. The contract includes a €250 million buy-out clause.
Meanwhile, Bartomeu made no guarantees over the future of Barca coach Pep Guardiola but hopes the Spaniard will stay on at Camp Nou.
The Barca chief added: "The decision lies with Pep but we hope to go on with him on the bench."
