Chelsea are 'definitely in the equation' for Lionel Messi should the Argentine superstar leave Barcelona next summer.
That's according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague who has been speaking about where Messi could wind up after his contract at Camp Nou expires in the summer.
There was talk of the 33-year-old joining Manchester City last summer with Chelsea also linked. Messi was keen to leave Catalonia but despite falling out with club bossed, he opted to stay and honour the final year of his contract.
Next summer, an almighty battle could take place as clubs around the world - or at least those who can afford his wages - attempt to sign arguably the best player of all time
According to Balague, Chelsea are very much in the hunt despite those links with Manchester City and Messi's former boss Guardiola.
"Chelsea are definitely in the equation if Messi becomes available. That is true,” he said on his YouTube channel.
"Chelsea will insist they want to hear everything that is going on.
"If they have the money they will want to be involved too. Remember, there is no transfer fee."
It is likely to be Man City and not Chelsea who are installed as favourites for Messi's signature next summer should the forward leave Barcelona.
Though, given Man City's poor start to the season, Chelsea may become a more attractive prospect if current trends continue to the end of the season.
Barcelona will have been hoping to convince Messi to stay ahead of his contract running out, particularly with a new president to be elected in the new year.
But given how the club handled things last summer when Messi wanted to leave and their poor start to the current La Liga season - Barca sitting 13th with two games in-hand - the forward could well depart as planned next summer.
