Laporta - Inter wanted Messi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that he turned down a bid in the summer from Inter Milan for Lionel Messi.

Messi recently extended his Barca contract to 2016 - which has a buy-out clause of more than £200million.

But Laporta confirms that Inter chief Massimo Moratti did indeed try to sign Messi - who is favourite win the Ballon d'Or later this year.

When asked in Corriere dello Sport if Moratti had expressed an interest in buying Messi, Laporta said: "Yes he did.

"But there is nothing to talk about.

"Messi is not for sale, he (Moratti) must forget about it."