8:37:00 pm
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| Messi |
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Messi Move
to Chelsea Trigger Over Legal Frustration In Barcelona.Chelsea will join
Manchester City
in the chase
for Lionel Messi if the superstar gives
any indication he might quit Barcelona
following strong rumours that the legendary player is unhappy in Spain.
Messi was
sentenced to 21 months jail for tax fraud but is not expected to do any time because
prison terms of less than two years in
Spain can be served under probation. Messi
Barca immediately issued a statement
supporting their player but Messi is
said to felt the club could have been
more supportive during the case.
The fee for Messi would smash the £100million
mark and SunSport understands that Messi’s father, who represents his superstar son, has met with Blues’ owner,
Roman Abramovich.
The meeting
is believed to have taken place in the last ten days on Abramovich’s personal
super yacht, the Eclipse.
Chelsea chiefs have been monitoring the tax
fraud case which saw both Leo and his father convicted. Between them, Messi and his dad have been ordered to pay just
under £3million in fines and the family feel victimised by Spanish authorities.
The Stamford
Bridge club were alerted to the possibility that Messi could leave Barca over
the tax case and the club's failure to offer a new contract. Negotiations were initiated on
the basis that if the 29-year-old decided he'd had enough then Chelsea would be
in pole position to capitalise.
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