Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has insisted that Lionel Messi is closer than ever to leaving Barcelona.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the football pundit had the following to say about the speculation linking the Argentine superstar with a move away from the Nou Camp.
“Messi was never before this close to leaving the club, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be leaving.
“Many options are foreseeable, including that he stays at Barcelona of course,” Balague continued, “but he has often heard Sergio Aguero and Cesc Fabregas say that the Premier League is great, for many reasons.
“I’m sure that’s made him think about eventually opening the door to a departure.”
Messi has been linked with a move to Premier League trio Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, all of whom would surely be delighted to welcome him into their squads.
According to The Sun, the three were encouraged about the possibility of signing the forward when they made enquiries to the player’s entourage, and Balague’s revelations may further convince the EPL title hopefuls to strongly consider the possibility of bringing the attacker to England.
The superstar—in a recent interview with Balague on Yahoo Sport—refused to entertain talk that he was considering a future away from Catalonia.
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“Do I see myself playing in another league? I don’t want to look so far ahead.” Messi began. “I live in the moment, and right now I’m with Barcelona in La Liga where I made my life and where I am very well.”
The 28-year-old moved to Barcelona in 2001 when he left Newell’s Old Boys, he has since gone on to feature over 300 times in La Liga for the domestic giants, winning the Spanish title on seven occasions, the Copa del Rey three times and winning four separate Champions League finals.