Lionel Messi 'closer than ever' to Man Utd move as Man City and Chelsea stars want switch

Lionel Messi is reported to be closer than ever to leaving Barcelona

LIONEL MESSI is closer than ever to leaving Barcelona, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

 

Messi has recently been linked with Manchester United, after reports claimed he would consider his options because of ongoing disputes with the club over his alleged tax avoidance.
Both Manchester City and Chelsea are also reported to have made enquiries and Balague thinks a deal could happen.
One club - believed to be United - were said to be "surprised" by Barca's positive response to their initial enquiry, while fellow pundit Graham Hunter believes stories linking Messi with a Nou Camp exit have "merit".

In a candid chat between the pair on Sky Sports, Balague said:"It is the closest he has ever come to leaving Barcelona.
"It doesn't mean he will but it is the closest he has ever been to leaving Barcelona."
Balague cites the fact that Messi, 28, has friends in England and suggested they might be trying to convince him to come over and join them.

 

Balague thinks international team-mate Asergio Aguero is keen to see Messi in the Premier League

"He's got friends in the Premier League saying, 'okay, you've done it at Barcelona you've down everything at Barcelona.'
"'Come over and test yourself, it will be a new challenge and a new way of doing things.'"
He continued: "I'm talking about Cesc Fabregas, I'm talking about Kun Aguero. They're saying 'come over here, this is the league where you have to be.'
"We all know it's going to be Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea (who could sign Messi), the three of them can pay for Lionel Messi."

While all three clubs could pay the transfer fee, because of Financial Fair Play restrictions, reports suggest only United could afford to properly finance a deal.
Barca might demand his £195million buy-out clause be paid in full and it is believed they will demand exactly that.
Then there is the small matter of his wages, with the four-time Ballon d'Or winner on around £16.3m a season in Spain.
That means the total cost of the deal could reach as much as £275m, which would probably be enough to put City and Chelsea out of contention.
United are almost certain to be the frontrunners for his signature and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has already said the club would not baulk at breaking the world record transfer fee.