Lionel Messi’s future has been the subject of much speculation for some time now, with the Premier League now looking an increasingly realistic destination for the Barcelona superstar.
The Argentine has enjoyed a superb career at the Nou Camp, but he no longer looks his old self, perhaps distraught at the poor state of the club that for so long dominated European football.
MORE: Opinion: Man City will win the Champions League under Guardiola – but only if they sign Messi
Messi has been linked with a reunion with his old manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City by the Daily Mirror, while it may be that Chelsea are also in the running for his signature, according to Guillem Balague.
Even if other members of the top six aren’t looking likely to join the race for Messi, we thought it would be fun to take a look at how the Barca front-man might fit in at the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal as well…
Man City
Messi in an attacking midfield trio alongside Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, with Sergio Aguero ahead of them all? Yeah, we can see this working out pretty well for City, even if it means pushing Kevin De Bruyne back into midfield.
Chelsea
Again, what a front four this is, this time at Chelsea. Messi could again take a number ten role and should have plenty of joy linking with attacking talents like Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, giving Chelsea perhaps the most lop-sided XI imaginable considering the gulf in quality between their front four and their back four.
Man Utd
Manchester United could definitely do with a bit more quality out wide, so we imagine Messi would take up a role on the right of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line up, with Bruno Fernandes surely cementing that number ten position after his incredible from since moving to Old Trafford.
Liverpool
Liverpool fans may love Roberto Firmino, but we think they’d possibly consider dropping him for Messi. See above as the Argentine joins an incredible front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. This would truly be a joy to watch.
Arsenal
We know Messi to Arsenal is surely not going to happen any time soon, but he slots in quite nicely here as an upgrade on the under-performing Nicolas Pepe or Willian on the right-hand side.
Tottenham
Again, a totally unrealistic prospect, but we think Messi would actually have a pretty good time at Tottenham. See above as the Argentine fits in nicely in a number ten role, where he could link up superbly in a fearsome attack alongside Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale.