Messi is considering leaving Barcelona and the Blues are keeping tabs on the Argentine.
Chelsea are monitoring Lionel Messi’s situation at Barcelona after the Argentine’s remarkable outburst against club director Javier Faus, fanatix understands.
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It is understood Messi is considering his future in Catalonia for the first time since joining Barca as a youngster in 2000.
Messi, 26, responded furiously to Faus’ claims that there would be no need to review his contract, which was extended to 2016 in February.
“Barcelona is the best club in the world and should be represented by the best board members, too,” he said.
“Senor Faus is someone who doesn’t know anything about football and wants to manage Barcelona like a business, which it is not,” Messi, a normally reluctant interviewee, said in a radio interview.
“Besides, I would remind him that neither I nor anyone from my camp has asked for any wage increase and he knows that very well.”
Messi’s anger in part stems from a frustrating season, which has seen him hampered by injuries and slip behind rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the running to win the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award.
In addition, it is thought the Argentina international is unhappy at losing his star billing at Barcelona to £48.6m summer signing Neymar, who has stepped up his performances in his teammate’s recent absence through injury.
A switch to Barcelona’s great rivals Real Madrid is unthinkable, meaning Messi would have to move overseas if he decides to call time on his career at the Nou Camp.
Chelsea are keeping tabs on the Argentine, who they tried to sign with the help of sports company Adidas in the summer.
Blues owner Roman Abramovich would be willing to sanction a huge transfer fee to bring the winger to Stamford Bridge and the Blues are currently ranked as favourites to sign the player widely considered the best on the planet.
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