Chelsea: Blues want Barca’s Messi

[davidephraim]

Chelsea: Blues want Barca’s Messi
Lionel Messi

How much? Messi (L) could well be on his way to Stamford Bridge. (Action Images / Albert Gea)

Sunday May 04, 2008
by Ian Griffiths

SINGAPORE (espnstar.com) - Chelsea are planning an audacious 80 million pound swoop for Barcelona star Lionel Messi according to newspaper reports in England.

The News of the World revealed on Sunday that Stamford Bridge boss and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has given the green light to a move which would take the footballing world by storm

The previous transfer record is currently the 48 million pound deal that saw Zinedine Zidane move from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001, a figure that would pale into insignificance should Messi’s Chelsea switch become a reality.

Messi was at his usual brilliant best during the Catalan side’s recent UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United, a display that reinforced just how important the diminutive Argentina international is to Barcelona.

Although, given the size of the bid Chelsea are reportedly tabling, Nou Camp officials may well have their hand forced.

"Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him,” a source close to the proposed deal told the News Of the World.

"He has always wanted that type of player. Under Jose Mourinho he accepted the football because it was bringing in the trophies but he got bored. Grant wants to change things but has explained it takes time and a lot of money to alter the style.

"Now is the time for Roman to finance that change. Chelsea are attractive because of the wages on offer and they are in the Champions League final."

[Toppa]

Never-effing-happen.

[JDB]

All the transfer rumours collated by the BBC

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has authorised a record-breaking £80m move for Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi. (News of the World)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will make a £25m bid for England defender Micah Richards. (News of the World & People)

Liverpool will offer Cardiff £3m for teenage midfielder Aaron Ramsey but Manchester United are preparing a £10m package for the Wales Under-21 star. (News of the World)

Newcastle and Sunderland want Manchester City's £5m-rated defender Richard Dunne and £8m-rated midfielder Stephen Ireland. (Daily Star Sunday)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has the green light to splash £15m on Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins. (News of the World)


Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson has emerged as a summer target for Tottenham and Arsenal. (News of the World)

Coventry boss Chris Coleman is set to raid his old club Fulham for veteran striker Brian McBride. (News of the World)

Liverpool and Spurs are chasing Colchester winger Medy Elito, 17. (News of the World)

Michael Tonge plans a £4m move to Blackburn if Sheffield United fail to win promotion to the Premier League. (News of the World)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane hopes to persuade Kenwyne Jones to stay at Sunderland after knocking back an initial enquiry from Liverpool. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in the striker. (News of the World)

World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane is the sensational name in the frame to take over as boss of QPR. (People)

Arsene Wenger's transfer kitty has been slashed to £25m, meaning the Arsenal manager will only be able to sign three or four players in the summer. (Mail on Sunday)

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano could miss the start of next season after being called up Argentina for the Beijing Olympics. (Various)

Two FBI agents were at Old Trafford on Saturday as part of an expensive review of the club's security after reports of threats against some of Manchester United's players. (Sunday Express)

Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson will present the FA Cup to the winners of this month's final between Portsmouth and Cardiff at Wembley. (Various)

A lack of finances could see Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra reverse his plan to sack manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. (Sunday Express)

Benfica are set to abandon a move for the former England coach because of his huge wage demands. (News of the World)

But the Swede has already told his City players that he will definitely be leaving the club at the end of the season. (Observer)

Everton will pocket £1.5m should Manchester United complete the Premier League and Champions League double courtesy of a lucrative clause in the Wayne Rooney transfer deal between the two clubs nearly four years ago. (News of the World)

Arsenal will reward Bacary Sanga with an improved contract after the right-back's outstanding first season in English football. (Observer)

Chelsea have registered their interest in a 13-year-old Roholla Iqbalzadeh, who is being labelled as a "mini Drogba". The striker was born in Afghanistan and was spotted playing for Mosjoen IL in a youth tournament in Norway. (Mail on Sunday)

[Small Magician aka Wazza]

All the transfer rumours collated by the BBC


Sunderland boss Roy Keane hopes to persuade Kenwyne Jones to stay at Sunderland after knocking back an initial enquiry from Liverpool. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in the striker. (News of the World)

Lol..we need goalscorers... Just jk..  But we dont need him..we've got Manucho...he's 3 times better than KJ..and 4 times better than Adebayor...  He looks like a combination on both of them

[WestCoast]

Lol..we need goalscorers... Just jk..  But we dont need him..we've got Manucho...he's 3 times better than KJ..and 4 times better than Adebayor...  He looks like a combination on both of them

dont let FLi ! find that out eh

[Mango Chow!]

Mikel John Obi and Lionel Messi on de same side? Interesting, but, never happen. Even IF they get the new "Little Magician", he alone is not going to change their style. They are going to need a COACH that actually IS attack-minded and not just saying it.


What am I saying?! Grant is an israeli. He IS attack-minded!   

[Small Magician aka Wazza]

Mikel John Obi and Lionel Messi on de same side? Interesting, but, never happen. Even IF they get the new "Little Magician", he alone is not going to change their style. They are going to need a COACH that actually IS attack-minded and not just saying it.


What am I saying?! Grant is an israeli. He IS attack-minded! 

 

[asylumseeker]

... or is it defence-minded? 

[doublet750]

WE ALL KNOW THIS WONT HAPPEN.....HE CAN BID BUT MESSI DONT LIKE CHELSEA ...AND I THOUGHT THE POINT OF GETTING RID OF RONNIE WAS THE FACT THT THEY HAD MESSI AS THE HEIR APPARENT TO THE NUMBER 10....SO AINT NO FORCING OF HAND

[Gladman]

No way no how this deal could go tru ,so i not even studyin it 

[davidephraim]

No way no how this deal could go tru ,so i not even studyin it 

yeh but 80 million pounds yuh know friends.... dat is no little bit of money. Barca being in a state of affairs might seize such an offer.  80million pounds?  jeez an peas..

[Trini Madness]

u could offer messi de whole world and he still wouldnt go. messi will never leave barca.

[Big Magician]

money talks...

dat Ramsey young boy from cardiff is quite a talent...

[Diambars]

A move like this will make him and others a lot of money, but it will not be good for football.  It can be consider a career ending move, and he is to young for that.