DaMaGe13
05-04-2008, 10:28 AM
Chelsea are reportedly preparing an astonishing ₤80 million bid for Barcelona star Lionel Messi…
The mega-money move would obliterated the previous transfer record of ₤46.5 million, set by Real Madrid when they bought Zinedine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.
Barcelona have previously insisted that Messi is not for sale, but the magnitude of such an offer could tempt them into rethinking their position - at least that is what the Blues think.
This news is just the latest development in Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s grand scheme to re-brand the club in the summer, as it has long been reported that he plan an overhaul of the squad come the end of the season.
The Russian billionaire has grown tired with the Blues’ unimaginative football, and manager Avram Grant seems to have convinced Abramovich that heavy investment will be required to bring Chelsea up to the level of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal in terms of flair and creativity.
Abramovich seems to have enjoyed the way Lionel Messi ran the show at Old Trafford, where only finishing seemed to be lacking in Barcelona's display, and is convinced that is the brand of football the Blues need to be playing.
Indeed, that was why Henk Ten Cate was brought in as well. The Dutchman knows Messi pretty well, and seems to approve of the club's chase of the Argentine.
A source close to the club is quoted in The Sun as saying: "Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him.
"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."
The mega-money move would obliterated the previous transfer record of ₤46.5 million, set by Real Madrid when they bought Zinedine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.
Barcelona have previously insisted that Messi is not for sale, but the magnitude of such an offer could tempt them into rethinking their position - at least that is what the Blues think.
This news is just the latest development in Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s grand scheme to re-brand the club in the summer, as it has long been reported that he plan an overhaul of the squad come the end of the season.
The Russian billionaire has grown tired with the Blues’ unimaginative football, and manager Avram Grant seems to have convinced Abramovich that heavy investment will be required to bring Chelsea up to the level of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal in terms of flair and creativity.
Abramovich seems to have enjoyed the way Lionel Messi ran the show at Old Trafford, where only finishing seemed to be lacking in Barcelona's display, and is convinced that is the brand of football the Blues need to be playing.
Indeed, that was why Henk Ten Cate was brought in as well. The Dutchman knows Messi pretty well, and seems to approve of the club's chase of the Argentine.
A source close to the club is quoted in The Sun as saying: "Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him.
"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."