It has been an exciting summer for Chelsea.
The Blues wasted no time adding to their squad during the summer transfer window, with the first catches of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner of Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively.
It now appears that Frank Lampard’s side are closing in for three more signings, with Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Thiago Silva moving in to move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season.
But there is another name that has been linked to Chelsea that would cause the eyes of the whole world to remain fixed on Stamford Bridge next season should they succeed.
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Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has asked to leave Barcelona, with the Blues one of the clubs in line for the Argentine.
So here’s everything we know about a potential transfer to Chelsea for Lionel Messi.
Request for transfer
Barcelona have confirmed that the Argentine has asked to move from Camp Nou this summer after 16 years in the club’s first team.
The 33-year-old is said to have faxed the club saying he immediately wants to exercise a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free this summer.
However, Barcelona believe the clause has expired which means the club could claim a commission for the striker.
This means that there may now be a legal battle between the player and the club.
Chelsea claim
Following the news of Messi’s wish, former Premier League defender Rio Ferdinand sent a message that would surely catch the eyes of Blues fans.
Ferdinand appeared to confirm Chelsea’s interest in the player with a social media message.
“I just heard Frank Lampard is now for Messi,” he tweeted. “Some windows in Lamps can make it!”
Ask for the price
With adamant Barcelona having to pay a transfer fee for Messi if he were to leave the club this summer, the Spanish giants have already made it clear what price they would seek for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
According to the Catalan broadcaster RAC (via LIKE ), Barcelona will only sell for a world-record transfer fee, more than the £ 197m Paris Saint-Germain paid for Neymar in 2017.
Social media tip?
After the first reports that Messi was looking to leave Barcelona this summer, fans noticed something they thought might be a hint for his next destination.
An eagle-eyed Chelsea fan noticed the player following the Blues on Instagram, suggesting a excited reaction from other fans .
The statement of the League
It now appears that any club interested in signing Messi will have to pay his € 700 million release clause.
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La Liga has released an official statement Sunday regarding the ace of Barcelona and 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 believes the deadline has been extended in line with the fact that the campaign ended later than usual due to of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, La Liga has confirmed that its current agreement is still valid and that any club wishing to sign it for next season will have to abide by its termination clause.
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