Fabregas insists Messi is happy at Barcelona, denies reports of luring him to Chelsea
Rumours linking Lionel Messi to Chelsea have reached that point of a long-stretched transfer saga where several media agencies are linking him to an audacious £500m move which is just unusual given that a transfer amount of that value would break every FFP rules that exists. And, to top that off, both Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and assistant manager Steve Holland have denied any such report.
Cesc Fabregas is one player whose name has been used on almost all occasions whenever there have been talks about the prospect of Messi moving to Chelsea. Fabregas is the Argentine’s former teammate, and their partners, Antonella Roccuzzo and Daniella Semaan are said to be best buddies – basically the whole plot behind these transfer rumours in addition to new reports claiming a rift between Messi and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique.
Messi is happy at Barcelona
But, the Chelsea playmaker has now decided to finally come forward and shed some light into the matter. "Messi is happy at Barca and they are happy with him," Fabregas revealed while speaking to Spanish radio station Onda Cero during their Al Primer Toque programme.
"I'm upset they say that I could be mediating for Messi to come to Chelsea. How can I be talking about contracts? I'm only a footballer," he added.
"Messi will do what makes him happiest," the 27-year-old continued. “Personally, as his friend, colleague and footballer, if you gave me the chance to play with him again, I would welcome it.”
"I don't know Luis Enrique. I do know Leo and I doubt very much that what is being said is happening, because he's a very relaxed guy and I've never seen any of that in the three years we spent together," he concluded.
No interest from Chelsea, insisted Mourinho and Holland
Earlier during an interview with Clare Balding of BT Sports last month, the Portuguese manager said, “No I have no chance of that.”
"Because at this moment there is financial fair play and with the financial fair play we have to follow certain rules, certain numbers and we obviously have no conditions to buy, as you say a ‘super amazing player’ paid with ‘super amazing numbers’ that Chelsea at this moment we cannot do," he had added.
This was further confirmed by assistant manager Steve Holland during his press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.
“It's not a decision I personally would make,” he said when asked about Messi. “When you look at the numbers being mentioned around Messi, I would think it's an impossible deal for any club working within the financial fair play rules."