Manchester city manager Pep Guardiola has played down reports that the club are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli this summer.

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi recently hinted that the Citizens were preparing a world record bid for the English-born Nigerian talent before denying that he publicly discussed Alli.

“Mauricio Pochettino has to stay calm, Dele Alli will be his player next season. I am pretty sure about that. We don’t want him,” Guardiola told Sky Sports UK.

“He is a fantastic player, good, new, English footballer. He’s a fighter. He's good. He’s someone who attacks the box and is one of the most fantastic players I have ever seen in my life.

“But Manchester City doesn’t want Dele Alli.”

Alli, 21, has seen his stock rise even further after winning the PFA Young Player of the Year at the start of this week.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : premierleague.com