Todd Boehly has the perfect chance to complete Roman Abramovich's failed mission this summer and finally bring Lionel Messi to Chelsea. The Argentina World Cup winner looks set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season which will see him become a free agent.
Barcelona are favourites to sign the 35-year-old just two years after he left the Camp Nou. Former Blues owner Roman Abramovich almost made the biggest signing of all, as Messi was on the brink of swapping Catalonia for west London.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is yet to test himself in the Premier League but that could change this summer with Chelsea among the clubs thought to be keen on signing him. David Beckham's Inter Miami and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal are both interested in making a move for the 35-year-old, yet a return to Barcelona remains the most likely outcome.
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After an astonishing 41 goals across all competitions in the 2013/14 season, Messi became frustrated with Spanish authorities after he was caught in a tax fraud probe, and the Argentina international was tempted by a new life in London under Jose Mourinho, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. The transfer insider stated that Chelsea were close to signing Messi when he was in his prime, and it was almost a FaceTime call that sealed the deal for the former Barcelona star.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said: "Everything collapsed because Barcelona was something special for Lionel Messi. He decided together with his family to stay in Catalonia and continue his experience with Barcelona.
"Roman Abramovich wanted Leo Messi. He was seriously trying to sign Messi as the new star for Chelsea but the deal collapsed."
Todd Boehly could now be set to finally complete Abramovich's failed attempt to sign Messi if Chelsea reignite their interest in the 35-year-old this summer. There are a number of factors that must be considered when looking to sign Messi including his huge wage demands and age.
However, the Argentine forward may fancy proving himself in the Premier League - as his rival Cristiano Ronaldo did at Manchester United - as his glittering career continues to draw to a close. Boehly has admitted to making mistakes in his time at Stamford Bridge but signing Messi could prove to be a masterstroke by the American.
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