We are just halfway through the international break, and it seems that the rumours swirling around the biggest stars in the world of football are running wild. This time it is FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s turn, with the Daily Star claiming that he might be looking for a move to the Premier League, if his wage demands are met.
His wage demands however, might put off even the richest of clubs.
“The four-time World Footballer of the Year is open to a move to England after falling foul of the tax authorities in Spain,” wrote the Daily Star’s . chief football writer David Woods. “But the Barcelona superstar’s staggering demands look to have priced him out of the budgets of even big-spending Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.”
“The 28-year-old Argentina ace is understood to favour moving to London, with the Gunners his preferred option if he quits Barcelona,” continued Woods. “But the deal he wants would see him paid A?18m a year AFTER tax, meaning a weekly wage of A?600,000 before deductions.”
According to Messi’s current contract, there is a A?175 million release clause to his name, and this is something that could deter most of the richest Premier League clubs from sending in their bids.
Also, the A?600,000-a-week wage demand might be viewed as completely ridiculous, and is another thing that might deter clubs from pursuing the matter further. It would mean that the Argentina star would be earning A?2.4 million every month, and A?18 million every year (before tax deductions). However, the Daily Star says that it is because of the tax fraud allegations that Messi seems to be looking for a move to England.
“A probe into an alleged A?3m tax fraud, said to have been organised by his father Jorge, has soured Messi’s love affair with Spain,” wrote Woods.
Does Messi favour a move to Arsenal FC?
While the Daily Star’s reports suggests that Messi would prefer a move to Arsenal FC, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who has been known to refrain from splashing the cash, might find it difficult to part with that much money for the FC Barcelona star.
However, given the recent trend of buying big stars from the world of football to maintain the team’s competitive edge, even Wenger has had to give up some of his ideologies, as we saw with the signings of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Oezil. While Messi’s reported demands seem ludicrous, it would be interesting to see whether any of the Premier League clubs actually go for it.