Lionel Messi's move to the English Premier League is closer than ever. Last week, reports from Spain and Britain suggested Barcelona's ace was toying with the possibility of joining a Premier League side at some point of his career. Today, sources in Spain revealed La Liga's all-time top scorer has started preparing for a possible switch by taking English lessons.
"He’s never been closer to leaving Barcelona, he is thinking about it. He’s maturing, he wants to imagine himself in England and he watches the Premier League. He’s learning English in case he needs it. He is preparing for that possibility," sports journalist Guillem Balague revealed in an interview.
The 28-year old superstar, and one of the most recognizable faces in the world, has been subject to a number of rumors about his future for almost a year, as some sources indicate his relationship with coach Luis Enrique is not the best. Furthermore, the player seems to be looking for a "new challenge", after winnin every major tournament with the only professional club he's ever played for.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are the teams with the best shot of landing Messi's services.
Balague went even further by stating the drive to play in the EPL would've come from two of Messi's closest friends: Sergio Agüero and Cesc Fabregas. Aguero is Messi's usual room-mate when both are called up by Argentina, while Fabregas played with Messi since their early Barcelona B days.
"He has heard from Sergio Aguero and Cesc Fabregas how wonderful England and the Premier League is. There’s an attraction there for a new challenge," the journalist added.
Finally, Balague revealed some European giants tried to lure him away from Los Blaugranas before he played a single professional match. Those teams would've included Arsenal and Barcelona's most-hated opponent: Real Madrid.
"Real Madrid tried, so did Arsenal. At the time when Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas were agreed [the former moving to Manchester United and the latter switching to Arsenal], the three of them were in the same team and Messi was approached as well," Balague concluded.
