Chelsea emerge as genuine contenders to sign Lionel Messi following his departure from Barcelona, according to a report.

Chelsea are reportedly firmly in the hunt for Lionel Messi, with the Blues ready to make a strong attempt to bring the Argentina international to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Messi will not be signing a new contract with Barcelona and is therefore available on a free transfer, and Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City were immediately placed as the favourites to sign him.

PSG are already said to be in direct contact with the attacker over a move to France, but Man City boss Pep Guardiola has all but ruled out a move for the South American this summer.

According to AS, there is firm interest from Chelsea, with the club's owner Roman Abramovich keen to arrange a meeting with Messi's representatives to discuss a potential move to London.

The report claims that the Blues are aware that they will have to hold off strong competition from PSG to sign arguably the most high-profile free agent of all time.

However, it is alleged that the Champions League holders want the 34-year-old to follow Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge, with the striker a leading target for his former club.

Any move for Messi is thought to be in addition to Lukaku arriving, as Chelsea attempt to agree a deal with Inter Milan for a player who has scored 64 times at club level over the last two seasons. body check tags ::

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