Chelsea and Manchester City have both lodged cash bids for unsettled Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, it has been sensationally claimed.

Messi's new deal remains unsigned, despite terms having been agreed for over two months. The Argentine's current contract expires in June.

Local pundit Eduardo Inda has claimed the 30-year-old has been unsettled by the recent unrest in Catalonia and has weighed up a move to China.

And while on El Chiringuito de Jugones, Inda also revealed Chelsea and City have lodged bids for the Argentina international.

“A few months ago Messi was a little down and was thinking seriously before the World Cup in Russia to go to China," Inda said.

“They tell me that he would have received offers of 150 million euros per season [134m].

“Despite this, his intention is to stay, although he has three offers in case he decides to leave the Barca team.

“City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain all love him."