A former agent of Barcelona star Leo Messi admits a move to Arsenal was close when he was a teenager.

Fabian Soldini says then Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger identified Cesc Fabregas, Messi and Gerard Pique as potential signings when they were academy prospects in 2003.

Wenger succeeded in luring Fabregas to Arsenal, while Pique joined Manchester United, though Messi opted to stay at Barcelona.

But Soldini says Messi was tempted by the prospect of a move to the Emirates, such was the closeness of his friendship with Fabregas.

"[Messi] was tempted to go to Arsenal, but he didn't go," Soldini told Marca.

"I remember the day that Cesc asked to leave [Barcelona]. Messi was also asked to go, but he didn't want to leave."