According to the Catalan radio station RAC1, Chelsea have contact Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Messi, to gain a better understanding of the player’s situation at Barcelona.
For the past few months, speculation has grown that the relationship between Messi and manager Luis Enrique is fractured and has disintegrated beyond repair.
Those reports were fueled this weekend after the Barcelona boss started the Argentinian on the bench for La Blaugrana’s league match against Real Sociedad – a match they would go on to lose, 1-0. Enrique was apparently attempting to discipline the star man for arriving late from his extended holiday in South America.
According to RAC1, Chelsea have been in contact with Messi’s father to ascertain the exact position of the Argentina international and gain a better understanding of his happiness at Barcelona. The London club would reportedly be willing to pay the 250 million euro (£195.6 million) release clause in the player’s contract and speculation is Adidas could also play a role in any negotiations.
As well as Messi’s issues with Enrique, the 27-year-old has seen his relationship with Barcelona’s board deteriorate and is reportedly concerned about possible penalties which could be handed down by the Spanish justice courts following his tax case.
Messi has already paid 53 million euros (£41.5 million) to the taxman, but he and his father are still required to explain themselves to the courts and could still face jail time and/or further financial penalties.
Barcelona have reportedly given manager Luis Enrique an ultimatum which requires the Spaniard to win the club’s next two matches and repair his fractured relationship with Messi and the rest of Barcelona’s squad – or face the sack.
Programming note: Barcelona vs. Elche will be shown LIVE on Thursday starting at 3:55pm on BeinSPORTS and DishWorld.
