Pep’s pulling power means City can swoop for the world’s best, says Txiki Begiristain

Manchester City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain believes Pep Guardiola can attract the world’s most coveted stars as they reignite interest in Lionel Messi.

Messi is unhappy at Barcelona after failing to secure a move to the Etihad Stadium last summer and is out of contract at the end of the season.

Guardiola insisted on Friday that he is unaware of the Argentine’s plans but Begiristain made clear that the manager’s two-year contract extension is an advantage in transfer negotiations.

Man City sporting director Txiki Begiristain says Pep Guardiola can attract the world’s best

Begiristain’s words come as City reignite their interest in Barcelona’s Lionel Messi 

‘For my job is having Pep (here), it’s quite easy,’ Begiristain said. ‘It’s quite easy to convince the players to come because we have to recognise as well that Pep makes the players better.

‘They can see an improvement and that is obvious – that helps to sign the players for Man City.’

Guardiola was given three new signings in the summer – Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres -and is hoping to further freshen the squad over the next year.

‘We already have an unbelievable squad,’ Begiristain added. ‘We have a lot of top players but the life of the squad is already changing. 

Guardiola (middle) signed a new two-year contract at Manchester City until 2023 this week

There are some players asking to leave, there are other players that want to come.’

Asked about Messi on Friday, Guardiola said: ‘I want him to finish his career there. That is what I want. 

‘I said it a thousand times. As a Barcelona fan I want Leo to finish there. But his contract finishes this year and I don’t know what will happen in his mind.’