While Lionel Messi may be considering his future at Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea are said to already have their own second-coming of the Argentine. The 35-year-old forward faces an increasingly uncertain future at the French outfit with his contract at Les Parc des Princes set to expire at the end of the season.
According to The Athletic, Inter Miami are increasingly confident of signing Messi. It's believed that talks with the MLS side have been led by David Beckham's co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas, but PSG are pushing hard to keep Messi at the club.
The Argentina international was thinly-linked with a move to Stamford Bridge when his contract at Barcelona expired and even almost joined the Blues in 2014. But, Graham Potter already has his own 'Messi', who comes in the shape of Raheem Sterling.
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Three years ago, the England international was compared to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring eight goals in seven games for club and country. Speaking to the press, Pep Guardiola addressed the comparisons.
"I'm so happy for him, for the way he's playing here and with the national team, but hopefully he won't read too much," said the Manchester City boss. "He cannot listen to these kind of things – that wouldn't be good for him, because nobody can compare with Cristiano or Messi.
"I'm so happy with what he's done since we've been together, not just right now. Everything that has happened to him has been good because he has an incredible work ethic and is an incredibly nice guy. I'm delighted for him."
Then, later in the same press conference, the Spaniard hinted that he might tell Sterling otherwise. Guardiola added: "It would be a dream for him for all of us. If Raheem can target that level – wow.
"We will be here to help him and of course he can do it but I will not be the guy to put limits to cancel it, to say don't don't think about that. No, absolutely not – I want it.
"But right now, nobody but not in this club, or in all the clubs in the world, can compare with these two guys and what they have done every single week during 10 years. They are absolute legends and nobody can compare, nobody."
Chelsea's decision to sign Sterling for £47.5million has since paid off. While the winger is currently enduring a goal drought, he's shown great promise and is set to play a major role for Potter this season.
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