Chelsea have already drawn up the outline of a six-year contract for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. The Daily Star says sources close to the Barcelona star insist the Blues have made it known they are willing to pay his £200m buy-out clause.

But they also claim Chelsea are willing to meet his wage demands - which could double the total cost of the deal.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho described stories linking the Premier League leaders with Messi as "obviously not true" in November.

But Barcelona have been in meltdown since then and reports in Spain suggest the player is at war with boss Luis Enrique.

Those close to Messi insist Chelsea are ready to take advantage if he does decide to quit the Nou Camp next summer.

Signing him would test Chelsea's ability to stay within the limits of Financial Fair Play to the limit.

But Blues owner Roman Abramovich could find the chance to sign one of the best players in world football too good to pass up.