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Guardiola: 'Manchester City doesn't want Dele Alli'

Paul Childs / Reuters

For Tottenham supporters nervous that twice-defending PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli has emerged as one of Europe's in-demand talents and could seek greener pastures, there's good news: the England international now has one less suitor.

Responding to alleged comments from Barcelona legend Xavi, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola refuted interest in the 21-year-old Milton Keynes product.

"Mauricio Pochettino has to stay calm. Dele Alli is going to be his player next season, I am pretty sure of that," Guardiola told Sky Sports.

Xavi, who played under Guardiola at the Camp Nou, has since denied telling English media that Alli is precisely the kind of player his former gaffer would fancy at City.

Related: Xavi denies speaking to British paper about City's interest in Dele Alli

Regardless, Guardiola is adamant that he's not interested in a move for Tottenham's 16-goal stud.

"We don't want Dele Alli. He is a fantastic player. He is such good news for English football. He is a fighter, attacking the box he is one of the most fantastic players I've seen in my life."

Guardiola added: "But Manchester City doesn't want Dele Alli."

Pochettino, who like Guardiola is no stranger to managing in the Catalan capital after cutting his managerial teeth at Espanyol, joked that Xavi is just trying to stir the pot between two former La Liga adversaries.

"He's in a period when he loves to talk. He's in Doha (playing for Al Sadd) and listen, he was Barcelona player, he's my enemy," Pochettino quipped.

"He tried to destroy our focus to win because he hates me because he's Barcelona - player, fans, you know. I know him (Xavi) very well, I played against him a lot and when I was a manager (at Espanyol)."

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