TRUE! Fabrizio Romano finally reveals how Roman Abramovich almost signed 120m attacker in 2014
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was keen on signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona in 2014 but a deal collapsed.
This is According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Jose Mourinho was the manager of Chelsea at the time and tried to convince Messi to shun Barcelona for Chelsea.
However, Messi decided together with his family to stay in Catalonia and continue his experience with Barcelona.
Romano said, as quoted by The Sun: “It was not that close but Chelsea were really trying to sign Lionel Messi in 2014, with Jose Mourinho as the manager. They were really pushing to try and persuade Messi to join them.”
“They [Chelsea] were contacting people close to Leo Messi, discussing with lawyers close to Messi to try to convince him for a new opportunity in the Premier League.
“But then everything collapsed because Barcelona was something special for Lionel Messi.
“He decided together with his family to stay in Catalonia and continue his experience with Barca.
“Roman Abramovich wanted Leo Messi. He was seriously trying to sign Messi as the new star for Chelsea but the deal collapsed.”
With Chelsea unable to sign Messi, the Blues then signed Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.
The Spanish playmaker would go on to win the Premier League twice with Chelsea and enjoy a successful stint at Stamford Bridge.