REPORTS: Lionel Messi’s father talking to clubs as Barcelona star said to be Premier League-bound

Wow.

It's one thing that Paul Pogba looks to be on his way to Manchester United, but now a five-time Ballon d'Or winner is being chased by the Premier League's finest - or Chelsea and Manchester City, rather. Lionel Messi was convicted of three counts of tax fraud on Wednesday and part of the thinking that's linking him away from La Liga is based on Barcelona's support of the player. Or lack of. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/750714193452658689 The club backed the 29-year-old in the aftermath but Messi's father, Jorge, is still said to be speaking to Chelsea - for one - about a potential move. According to The Sun, Roman Abramovich is ready to break the world transfer record with a nine-figure sum.

"Barca immediately issued a statement supporting their player [after the tax fraud conviction] but Messi is known to feel that the club could have been more supportive during the case," the report read. "The meeting is believed to have taken place in the last ten days on Abramovich’s personal superyacht, the Eclipse."

Pep Guardiola is also said to be interested in Messi - well, let's face it, everyone's interested - and Manchester City are reportedly monitoring the situation too. The South American has been with Barca for his whole career so it would take something special to lure him away. Maybe the appeal of no Champions League football with Chelsea will do just that.