Forget Messi, find a new Vinnie Pep!

EX-CITY midfielder Owen Hargreaves has told his former side they need to focus on finding a new Vincent Kompany, not signing Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

A trophyless season and humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League saw Barca boss Quique Setien sacked and replaced by Ronald Koeman, who has been tipped to make sweeping changes.

Having been at the Camp Nou his whole career, Messi could now be set to move on, and a reunion with Pep Guardiola is being tipped by many.

But Hargreaves believes City’s priorities should lie in defence, and finding a replacement for their former skipper.

“I’m sure Pep would take Messi if he could, but he will have seen the impact [Virgil] van Dijk had at Liverpool and realise he needs that kind of player more than anything,” Hargreaves said.

“He needs the new Vincent Kompany, a leader who can make or break a game in the tight moments.

“I think Pep is the ultimate innovator. That’s what makes him so unique and nine times out of 10 he gets it right.

“The game against Lyon was probably the first time we’ve seen him try to adapt to the other team. In a way, Pep did what everyone has been urging him to do by being pragmatic.

“I don’t think he will do it again. “The problem for City is that no team wins the Champions League without a world-class defence. If you don’t have a Van Dijk or a Kompany then it’s hard. Pep needs a new Vinnie.”