Reputed journalist reveals Chelsea were close to signing Messi when Mourinho was in charge

Jose Mourinho persuaded Lionel Messi to join Chelsea in 2014

According to Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Sky Sports), Chelsea were close to signing Lionel Messi in 2014.

The Blues were ready to activate the Argentine’s mammoth €250m release clause and also pay him a net wage of £50m per season.

Talks with the player progressed in the midst of the tax-evasion case against Messi’s family in 2013. The player had earlier admitted that the experience gave him a reason to consider quitting Spain.

The revelation regarding Messi and Chelsea was made in Di Marzio’s latest book Grand Hotel Calciomercato, a diary of the untold stories of the transfer market.

Then manager Jose Mourinho had a video call with the footballing legend and even persuaded the player to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.

However, the involvement of Messi’s father, agent Jorge and former Chelsea star Deco made the deal go bust. This, in spite of personal terms already being agreed.

The Blues were not the only team keen on securing the Argentine legend. Real Madrid were also interested in persuading him to switch to the Santiago Bernebeu.

It was always going to be a bridge too far given his allegiance to Barcelona. Chelsea, however, appeared to have had a fighting shot.

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Messi is one of the best players not just in today’s game but in the history of football. Mourinho’s 2014/15 squad at Chelsea included stars such as Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Willian and Diego Costa to name a few.

It would remain speculative as to what would have been had Messi indeed moved to Chelsea that year.