Lionel Messi is reportedly open to leaving Spanish La Liga powerhouse club FC Barcelona soon and make a move to the English Premier League.
Guillem Balague of Sky Sports said that Messi is "closer than ever" to leaving FC Barcelona, but he also clarified that there is no imminent deal at this point.
"It is the closest he has ever come to leaving Barcelona," Balague said, referring to the FC Barcelona superstar. "It doesn't mean he will but it is the closest he has ever been to leaving Barcelona."
Balague said that Messi has friends playing in the Premier League, who are constantly convincing him to move the England for a new challenge in his illustrious career. He named fellow Argentine and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero as one of the players who are trying to lure Messi.
And in the event Messi decides to leave FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire senior club career, Balague thinks that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea will be on top of the list of Messi's possible destination.
According to Daily Star, the three Premier League giants have already inquired about Messi. However, FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu blasted reports about Messi's desire to leave Camp Nou and added that the Argentine superstar is working hard to recover from a knee injury in time for their showdown with rival Real Madrid.
"People who say Messi is leaving Barcelona should be embarrassed," Bartomeu said. "Messi is recovering for the Madrid-Barcelona game. He is hoping to play El Clasico, but injuries have their process."
Bartomeu also address the tax fraud case, which is reportedly the main reason why Messi and his father want to leave Spain. Bartomeu said that Messi is "very angry about the Spanish taxation" issue, but he said that the 28-year-old superstar and his father have no desire to leave Camp Nou.
"Leo and his father said they don't imagine playing at another club," Bartomeu added. "The relationship with the family is very good. We are not in the negotiation phase yet, when the time comes it will be presented. He has a contract for the next three seasons."
