The Express has picked up a story from Catalan TV Channel, TV3 that reported Chelsea tried to sign Lionel Messi in the summer for a record breaking €150 million. With Messi having endured a frustrating season in Spain, José Mourinho and Chelsea had hoped to take advantage of the situation and offer the four-time Ballon D’or winner a route away from Spain.

TV3 suggested that after the season in which Barcelona were left empty handed, Messi lost his crown as the world’s best player and also became embroiled in a tax avoidance case, the 27-year-old may have been ready to leave the club that he has played for since he was 12.

José Mourinho was eager to lure Messi to Stamford Bridge and persuaded owner Roman Abramovich to try and tempt him away.

Chelsea subsequently offered Barca a staggering €150 million (£118 million) but this was rejected by both the Spanish club and Messi.

This of course smacks of transfer window sensationalism and it is difficult to imagine Messi playing anywhere other than Barcelona (perhaps Newell’s Old Boys at the end of his career). However, it would be fascinating to see Messi in the Premier League and of course answer the age old question of whether he could reproduce his magic on a cold and wet night in Stoke.