Murmurs from Messi's camp suggest the Barcelona superstar is contemplating a move to Chelsea.
Barca value the 27-year-old at at stunning £200million, which would appear to price the Blues out of the market.
However, Express Sport understands Messi is at loggerheads with the Spanish giants over his pay packet and Chelsea's sponsors Adidas could step in to broker a deal.
Messi is understand to be unhappy with his £16m a year after tax wage - £3m a year less than rival Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid deal.
Cesc Fabregas is a close friend of the Argentina superstar and is apparently persuading him to join Chelsea.
Messi is also keen for his son Thiago to be schooled in London.
However, it could all just be a move to open fresh contract talks between Messi's representatives and Barca.