It has been an exciting summer for Chelsea.
The Blues have wasted no time in adding to their squad during the summer transfer window, with the early captures of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively.
It now seems as if Frank Lampard’s side are closing in on three more signings, with Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Thiago Silva all closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season.
But there is another name who has been linked to Chelsea that would cause eyes around the world to be locked on Stamford Bridge next season should they pull it off.
Six-time Ballon D’or winner Lionel Messi has asked to leave Barcelona, with the Blues one of the clubs in the queue for the Argentinian.
So, here is everything we know about a potential move to Chelsea for Lionel Messi.
Transfer request
Barcelona have confirmed that the Argentinian has asked to move away from the Nou Camp this summer, after 16 years in the first team at the club.
The 33-year old is said to have sent a fax to the club saying that he immediately wants to exercise a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free this summer.
However, Barcelona believe that the clause has expired, meaning that the club could demand a fee for the forward.
That means that there now could be a legal battle between the player and the club.
Chelsea claim
After the news of Messi’s desire broke, former Premier League defender Rio Ferdinand sent a message that would have certainly caught the eyes of Blues fans.
Ferdinand appeared to confirm Chelsea’s interest in the player with a message on social media.
“Just heard Frank Lampard is now in for Messi,” he Tweeted. “Some window in Lamps pulls this off!”
Asking price
With Barcelona adamant that they would be due a transfer fee for Messi should he leave the club this summer, the Spanish giants have already made it clear what price they would be looking for for the six-time Ballon D’or winner.
According to Catalan broadcaster RAC (via AS ), Barcelona will only sell for a World record transfer fee, more than the £197 million Paris Saint-Germain paid for Neymar back in 2017.
Social media hint?
Following the initial reports that Messi was looking to leave Barcelona this summer, fans noticed something which they thought could be a hint to his next destination.
An eagle-eyes Chelsea fan noticed that the player is following the Blues on Instagram, prompting an excited reaction from other fans .
La Liga statement
It now appears that any club interested in signing Messi will have to pay his €700m release clause.
La Liga released an official statement on Sunday regarding the Barcelona ace and they have sided with the Spanish giants.
With the player having a clause in his contract stating that he can leave at the end of any season, Messi's camp believe that the deadline has been extended in line with the fact that the campaign has ended later than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, La Liga have confirmed that his current deal is still valid and that any club wanting to sign him for the upcoming season will have to meet his eye-watering release clause.
