Gossip: Chelsea and Man United battling to sign Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi may end up leaving Barcelona because of his dealings with Spanish tax officials

After hinting that he could be set to leave Barcelona in the future, Lionel Messi has sparked interest from a number of different clubs, according to reports.

Messi has been hounded over unpaid taxes and faces a possible jail sentence, and a source close to the player has been quoted as saying that he feels being singled out by having to stand trial over undeclared income.  

Messi’s father Jorge, who is also his agent, has confirmed that his son would consider a move to England should United meet his £200m release clause.

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with a move to sign the star.

Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona, and became the Spanish league's all-time top scorer with a hat-trick against Sevilla on Saturday.