According to reports from Mirror Football yesterday evening, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all ‘made contact’ with Barcelona star Lionel Messi over a potential transfer.
The 28 year-old is arguably the greatest footballer in the history of the sport, boasting seven La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, four Ballon d’Ors and countless other individual records – such as most Champions League hat-tricks (5) and most La Liga braces (84).
The European champions have no intention of selling the Argentina international but an ongoing tax scandal has certainly cast doubts over his future in the Spanish capital. Messi and his father are both facing trial over an alleged £3.1million tax fraud and if found guilty could receive jail time.
And according to Mirror Football, who cite reports from The Sun, the tax saga could force the South American away from La Liga and towards the Premier League.
They claim Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all already ‘made contact’ with the forward’s representatives, with one of the trio doing so twice in the last seven days.
They also allege a number of international team-mates and former colleagues now plying their trade in the Premier League – such as United’s Marcos Rojo, City’s Pablo Zabaleta and Chelsea’s Pedro – have attempted to convince Messi to move to England.
Messi’s contract, which expires in 2018, includes a €250million buy-out clause.