Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique says he has no idea if Manchester City could make an offer for Lionel Messi in the near future, but says he is fit to feature against Celtic on Wednesday.
The Catalan side are hoping to tie the Argentine star to a new contract, but have to overcome some financial obstacles before they will be in a position to offer him a deal.
Reports have suggested City could launch an audacious £200 million move for Messi, who missed his side’s 0-0 draw with Malaga at the weekend through illness.
However, the coach had no interest in discussing such rumours and instead turned to the player’s fitness, stating that both he and Gerard Pique, who sustained a foot injury in Saturday’s game, will play in the Champions League match in Glasgow.
“I don’t know. I have no idea,” was the coach’s response to questions on his knowledge of a potential deal at Tuesday’s press conference.
“I only saw him this morning. It wasn’t the best conditions to assess whether he is ready to play, but Leo is always ready to play.
“Lionel is always ready to play and I’m sure he will be ready to face Celtic. He is 100% and eager to give the best version of himself.”
On Pique, Luis Enrique added: “He’s good, he received a little injury to his foot, but in general he is fine and we hope he can play.”
Barca romped to a 7-0 win over Celtic in their opening Group C encounter, but Luis Enrique expects a match more like their previous visit to Britain before the international break – a 3-1 loss at former boss Pep Guardiola’s City.
Celtic must win and hope City fail to do likewise at Borussia Monchengladbach to keep alive their hopes of progressing, while victory will secure Barca’s seemingly inevitable qualification for the last 16.
“I haven’t used any images of the game at Camp Nou, it won’t be like that,” Luis Enrique said.
“Possibly it is going to be more like the game against City.
“It’s going to be a different game and we have to be ready for everything, whether there is high pressure or low pressure.
“In all games it’s important to score early. Celtic need points so I think they will come out to attack. It will be nothing like the game that has gone before.”
Their weekend setback left Barca four points behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but Luis Enrique is unconcerned by his team showing relative vulnerabilities compared to their domination of Spanish football over the past two seasons.
“I’ve got the same feeling,” he added. “We are only in the 12th game of La Liga, the fifth game of the Champions League, Christmas still to come.
“We are going to keep going on. The important thing is that we get as many titles as possible.”
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