Rio Ferdinand claims his former England team-mate Frank Lampard is interested in taking Barcelona icon Lionel Messi to Chelsea after the Argentine handed in a transfer request yesterday.
Chelsea are having an astonishing transfer window having already captured Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig, respectively.
Talks are ongoing with Bayer Leverkusen over the sale of Kai Havertz while Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell is also close to agreeing a move.
Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has been offered a two-year contract and is expected to sign the deal over the coming days.
And Ferdinand claims Lampard has also requested that the Chelsea board enquire about the possibility of signing six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.
“Just heard Frank Lampard is now in for Messi,” Ferdinand tweeted. “Some window this if Lamps pulls this off!!”
Messi sent a fax to Barcelona yesterday explaining that he wanted to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
The 33-year-old has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Catalonia for free if he informs his bosses before a set date.
However, that date has apparently passed this summer so the player and club are at war behind the scenes.
Barcelona endured their first trophyless season in 12 years which ended with the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final humiliation against Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, former England striker Gary Lineker hopes Barcelona do not cause Messi any issues if he wishes to leave.
“If Messi is to leave @FCBarcelona by activating a release clause, then I hope the club try to help, not hinder him,” Lineker wrote on Twitter.
“He’s been fiercely loyal and their greatest ever player.
“It would be terribly sad if it finished with a fight between the player and the club.”
Manchester City have been linked with signing Messi because of the relationship between the attacker and Pep Guardiola.
The pair helped Barcelona dominate world football during their time together at the Nou Camp.