Rumors of Lionel Messi’s Liga BBVA exit continue to spread, with reports suggesting that the player is ready to leave Spain after 10 glorious years due to the tax evasion allegations that were brought up against the 28-year-old.
If found guilty, the Argentine could spend time behind bars, and thus the Barcelona talisman is ready to pack his bags in search of pastures new, with the English Premier League his most likely destination.
Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea are tipped as favorites to land Leo, given their financial powers, and the four-time Ballon d’Or winner’s staggering £175m release clause.
However, a new, crazy twist to the Messi transfer saga has emerged, with the Daily Sun reporting that the Blaugrana ace prefers a move to London giants Arsenal above all the aforementioned English sides.
Unfortunately for Wenger's crew, Messi will not come cheap. According to the report, the Albiceleste captain will demand a wage worth £18m a year after tax, which equals to a whopping £600,000-a-week salary.
The Gunners have showed in recent years that they are not afraid to shell out big money in order to land Europe’s finest, but with their highest-paid player Mesut Ozil earning a respectable £180k per week, Messi could prove to be far out of their price range.
Messi's legal issues in Spain could see him seek an EPL switch
In addition to this transfer revelation, the Daily Mail writes that La Pulga is not the only Spanish Primera Division superstar that could be gone next season.
According to the British publication, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo could be sold, with Los Blancos believed to have grown tired of the Portuguese ace’s unwillingness to pledge his future with the club.
The 30-year-old has recently admitted that he could leave the Bernabeu, and now the Madrid giants are reportedly ready to cash in on the former Man United ace should they receive a bid in the region of the £80m they initially paid for him.
Chelsea ace Eden Hazard is expected to join Real Madrid next summer, with speculation that Cristiano could head in the opposite direction.
This would not be all too surprising considering that the three-time Ballon d’Or winner recently revealed that he could reunite with Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
This means that Les Merengues' clash with Barcelona on November 21 could be Ronaldo's last Clasico at the Bernabeu.
