Man City blow as Bayern ace rules out following Guardiola

But having been able to emerge victorious in the pursuit of Pep Guardiola, Manchester City could have inadvertently leapfrogged their rivals in the chase for Pogba’s signature as the the Frenchman admits his admiration for Guardiola.

Mills, 38, who made 54 appearances for City between 2004 and 2006, wrote in his Sportlobster blog: ‘I believe the City players have been hugely distracted by the Guardiola announcement and they’ve taken their eye off the prize.

“My contract still runs until 2018, at the moment I am concentrated on my performance on the pitch”.

With Pep Guardiola due to arrive at the Etihad Stadium over the summer, the Bayern Munich midfielder has been mooted as a potential target.

As for Bayern’s desire to extend his deal, Alaba added: “That’s an honour for me and I’m some kind of proud and grateful”.

Juventus face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday evening and Pogba spoke to Sky Sport Deutschland.

During a live Q&A with Goal, the Italian, himself a three-time Champions League-winning manager, said: “Behind Manchester City there is a group that provide a lot of money. It’s always wonderful to play here at home in such a great atmosphere”, he said.

Thiago has been hugely impressed by the Brazilian winger, saying on Wednesday: “I already knew Douglas when he was still at Gremio and then at Shakhtar”.

“We are not thinking about Juventus at all”.