Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi will reportedly be offered an astronomical sum of €500 million by Hebei CF to move to China.
Spanish publication AS have claimed that Lionel Messi is set to receive a stunning offer of €500m from the Chinese Super League. The global icon, who has played for only one club throughout his senior career, is currently in the process of negotiating a new deal at Barcelona. But Chinese outfit Hebei China Fortune is looking to offer the Argentinian wizard half a billion Euros to make the switch to the cash-rich Chinese Super League.
Lionel Messi has achieved it all since making the move to Barcelona from Argentina at the age of 13. The player who was so physically fragile that he was prescribed Human Growth Hormones, has blossomed into, quite possibly, one of the best footballers to have graced the beautiful game.
The five-time Ballon D’or winner has a staggering 478 goals to his name in 552 appearances for Barca, while creating another 219 goals for his teammates, a record that is set to remain historic for the club for generations to come.
Messi’s current deal will expire in 2018 and talks have been going on since the summer of 2016 between the player, his representatives and the club to extend his deal. Messi reportedly rejecting an extension back in the summer, and the Argentinian has also been linked with a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
But, as per the latest reports, China has emerged as the latest potential destination for the global superstar. Chinese Super League outfit Hebei China Fortune, who have Manuel Pellegrini at the helm, are plotting a staggering swoop for the 29-year-old. The AS report states that the Chinese outfit is prepared to offer Lionel Messi a five-year contract with a net payout of around €100m per year of contract.
Hebei CF already have the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Stephane M’Bia, Gervinho and Gael Kakuta, stars who previously graced the European footballing scene, and it seems like Manuel Pellegrini is looking to bring his fellow Latin American over to China.
China have been making waves in the footballing world with their financial prowess, the latest being the reported capture of Brazilian superstar Oscar. Hebei knows it would cost a fortune to bring Lionel Messi over and it seems like the Chinese Super League are prepared to bear the cost, if it means Messi gracing the league.
