Jose Mourinho had 'convinced' Lionel Messi to join Chelsea, here's what happened next

While recent Lionel Messi transfer rumours linked star player with a move to Manchester City, popular journalist Gianluca Di Marzio recently revealed that Argentine, in fact, could have ended up playing for Chelsea if everything went according to plan. In his book, Di Marzio disclosed that Jose Mourinho had successfully mand to convince Lionel Messi to move to London in 2014. Italian reporter also shared reason behind Chelsea’s failure to sign Lionel Messi.

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How Messi to Chelsea deal unfolded

In his latest book, Grand Hotel Calciomercato, Di Marzio wrote about ‘biggest unkwn tale in transfer market’. reporter explained that after Lionel Messi declined an offer to move to Real Madrid, it was Chelsea who came calling for superstar. Di Marzio expounded that after being frustrated by Spanish tax authorities, Lionel Messi was ready to leave Barcelona. Italian also disclosed that Chelsea were ready to pay Barcelona star’s release clause of €250 million back n andLionel Messi was set to earn around £50 million per year at Chelsea.

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Jose Mourinho played a crucial role in convincing Lionel Messi

famous journalist wrote about how Jose Mourinho convinced Lionel Messi to join Chelsea over FaceTime. Di Marzio wrote that Jose Mourinho broke ice by calling Lionel Messi ‘champ’. During his conversation with Messi, Jose Mourinho also admitted that he had spent many sleepless nights thinking of plans on how to stop attacker.

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However, Jose Mourinho convinced Lionel Messi about Chelsea move in a unique manner. coach first asked Lionel Messi to stay at Barcelona, claiming that club will build a statue for him. However, Portuguese later said that if Lionel Messi ever finds himself unsatisfied and unhappy at Barcelona, he will always be waiting for Argentine. According to Di Marzio, cunning and astute maeuvre appeared to have convinced Lionel Messi, as Italian wrote that conversation with Jose Mourinho proved to be breakthrough in a possible Messi to Chelsea transfer.

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Why Lionel Messi to Chelsea deal collapsed

Despite positive conversations and agreement of personal terms, Messi to Chelsea deal never materialized, with Di Marzio shedding light on situation as well. journalist explained that it was involvement of ar Chelsea legend, Deco, which hampered Messi to Chelsea transfer. According to Di Marzio, Messi’s far Jorge was kept in dark about move and he was unaware of contractual negotiations.

After talks between Lionel Messi and Jose Mourinho ended on a positive te, Portuguese discussed same with new signing Cesc Fabregas, who communicated same to Deco. Deco, who was working with Roman Abramovich at that time, communicated contract developments to Jorge Messi’s far, who called up Lionel Messi asking for an explanation. Lionel Messi n proceeded to deny all talks with London club, with journalist writing that Messi to Chelsea deal vanished just like a soap bubble hits floor and vanishes in thin air.

Im Credits: Tottenham Hotspur Instagram, Lionel Messi Instagram