Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is demanding a £600,000-a-week salary if he were to move to the Premier League.
The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp following a big fallout with the tax authorities in Spain.
Messi is believed to favour a move to Arsenal if he were to come to England, but the Gunners – as well as Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea – are not prepared to meet his wage demands, claim the Daily Star.
The 28-year-old’s ‘wanted’ deal would see him earn £18million a year after tax, resulting in a world-record sum of £600,000 per-week.
The Barca academy product is under contract with the La Liga giants until 2018, a deal which includes a buy-out clause of just over £175million.
Chelsea, current holders of the Premier League title, are current favourites to sign the four-time Ballon d’Or winner but Blues owner Roman Abramovich understands that Messi won’t come easily or cheaply.
Messi found himself in the middle of an alleged tax fraud of £3million in Spain, and speculation continues to grow surrounding his future in the country.
By Drew Darbyshire (@DarbySports)
