Guardiola wants Messi to finish his career at Barcelona.

Messi thrived under Guardiola during the four seasons the Spaniard spent at the Camp Nou helm.

Messi thrived under Guardiola at the Nou Camp. [Getty]

Pep Guardiola says he would "love" to see Lionel Messi finish his career at Barcelona amid reports linking the Argentine with a move to Premier League side Manchester City.

The football icon Messi tried to force his way out of Barca during the previous transfer window, but the move was unsuccessful and he decided to stay at the Camp Nou.

The super forward's current deal with Los Cules is set to expire at the end of next season [in July 2021], and various tabloids continue to suggest that he will be moving to the Etihad to link up with Guardiola.

However, Guardiola, who signed a new two-year deal with the Cityzens on Thursday, reiterated that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner should continue to ply his trade with the Blaugrana.

"Messi is a player for Barcelona," he said in his press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

"If you ask me my opinion I have a huge gratitude for what Barcelona has done for me - in the academy, as a player, and as a manager, they gave me absolutely everything.

“What I want is [for Messi] to finish his career there. I would love it, I would wish it. That is what I said I don't know how many times, maybe a thousand times.

"Right now he's a Barcelona player and the transfer market will be in June or July. We have incredible games to play and achievements to try and achieve and this is only in our minds."

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