Barcelona star Lionel Messi could avoid prison over alleged tax fraud by coughing up £20 MILLION to Spanish authorities.The Sun reports Messi and his dad Jorge are being investigated for an alleged £3.4million tax fraud in Spain between 2007 and 2009.

If convicted, the Argentinian could face up to SIX YEARS in jail or be ordered to pay fines of up to six times the amount allegedly defrauded.

Messi has strongly denied doing anything wrong.

Tax expert José María Mollinedo said: "If the player pays and admits his involvement, he could obtain a reduction in the minimum punishment, because of which he would not have to go to prison."