Transfer: Chelsea contact Messi’s father

Chelsea wants to know for itself how unhappy Lionel Messi is with life at Barcelona. Chelsea has contacted Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, in order to gauge the Argentinian superstar’s interest in leaving Barcelona for West London, Spanish radio station RAC1 reported Wednesday, according to the Independent. Messi, 27, reportedly has fallen out with Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique, and the club is in turmoil following this week’s board-room upheaval. Chelsea now might be keen to swoop and spend a record amount on one of soccer’s greatest-ever players. Reports in the Spanish media claim Chelsea is willing to meet the £200 million (€250 million/$300 million) buyout clause contained in Messi’s contract. English tabloid The Star reports the Blues are willing to offer Messi a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Messi has spent the entirety of his professional career with Barcelona and previously claimed to be happy at the club. But speculation claiming Messi believes Barcelona’s current board of directors wants to sell him to the highest bidder by 2016 arose in late November and recently has gained momentum. Messi and his girlfriend started following Chelsea and Manchester City on Instagram this week, sending the rumor mill into over-drive. If Messi is ready and willing to leave crisis-stricken Barcelona for the Premier League next summer, Chelsea might welcome him with open arms.