Pep Guardiola to Manchester City: Thierry Henry tips Spaniard to attract top talent - but not Lionel Messi

Henry and Guardiola lifted the Champions League together in 2009

Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi during their spell together at Barcelona (Getty)

Theirry Henry believes Pep Guardiola’s appointment at Manchester City will give the Eastlands club an unrivalled pulling power in next summer’s transfer window – with Lionel Messi being the only exception.

The Catalonian managed Henry at Barcelona and will reinforce his status as the highest paid head coach in the world when he commences his new three-year contract at the Etihad, expected to include an annual sum in the region of €20m (£15.5m).

City have already been linked with lucrative moves for Juventus ace Paul Pogba and Everton’s John Stones in the hours following the Guardiola announcement on Monday afternoon. Henry, speaking as part of his role as a Sky Sports pundit, revealed how the 45-year-old will open doors previously closed off to City in the elite market.

“I would like to think he's going to bring some big names because he has the resources, but he's not scared of bringing young talent through,” Henry said.

“Whether they're in the academy or if they're young talents in Europe which won't cost a lot of money, like we saw with Kingsley Coman, who he has right now at Bayern Munich.

“If you're a Man City fan, you can dream about having some great players. Not only because it's a great club and you have the resources, but Pep Guardiola will be the guy to attract any player in the world.”

The two-time Premier League champions have previously shown an interest in ensnaring Messi away from the Nou Camp despite the Argentinian’s continued denials that he would ever leave the club he supported as a child.

Henry and Guardiola lifted the Champions League together in 2009 (Getty Images)

But Henry, when quizzed on the likelihood of the 28-year-old joining, added: “Not Messi, but a lot of players who want to be coached by him.”

Incumbent manager Manuel Pellegrini, who will stand aside at the end of the campaign, has kept his side on a steady trajectory this season with hopes of a remarkable quadruple still intact.