Sources close to the Barcelona star insist
the Blues have made it known they are
willing to pay his £200m buy-out clause.
But they also claim Chelsea are willing to
meet his wage demands - which could
double the total cost of the deal.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho described
stories linking the Premier League leaders
with Messi as “obviously not true” in
November.
But Barcelona have been in meltdown
since then and reports in Spain suggest
the player is at war with boss Luis
Enrique.
Messi failed to show up for training on
Monday, and Enrique failed to deny talk of
a rift between the pair yesterday.
“I neither confirm nor deny those
reports. The things that are part of
the team always remain in the
changing room”
Luis Enrique
He said: “I neither confirm nor deny those
reports. The things that are part of the
team always remain in the changing
room.
“I have the same relationship with all my
players that I had at the start of the
season. That has not changed.”
Reports in Spain suggest there is a power
struggle going on between Messi and the
manager, with the player favourite to win.
But those close to Messi insist Chelsea
are ready to take advantage if he does
decide to quit the Nou Camp next
summer.
Signing him would test Chelsea’s ability to
stay within the limits of Financial Fair
Play to the limit.
But Blues owner Roman Abramovich
could find the chance to sign one of the
best players in world football too good to
pass up.
Manchester City and Paris St Germain are
also monitoring the situation, but both
have much less wriggle room having
already broken FFP rules.
Messi started Sunday’s defeat to Real
Sociedad on the bench, and is understood
to be one of a number of senior players at
odds with Enrique.
But if anyone leaves Barcelona next
summer it is more likely to be the
manager - especially after losing his
closest ally at the club.
Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was
sacked on Monday after Barca lost their
appeal against a one-year transfer ban.
Hours later former captain Carles Puyol
quit his role as Zubizarreta’s assistant,
leaving the club in turmoil and Enrique
isolated.
SOURCE : DAILY STAR
