English billionaire Jim Ratcliffe says he wants to sign Lionel Messi for Nice.

With tongue in cheek, Ratcliffe says it would be a dream come true to sign the Barcelona star - no matter his age.

He told L'Equipe: "The player I would like to see in Nice? For me, the best player in the world is Lionel Messi.

"If I can buy him? Maybe when he turns 45, but he will continue to score!

"Bobby Charlton retired at age 47. Oh no, it was Stanley Matthews ... He always said that his biggest regret was to have stopped too early!"