Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to buy Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi for Pep Guardiola. El Confidencial says Abramovich wants to bring Pep Guardiola to Chelsea - and is willing to wait for the former Barca coach should he stick to his plans to take a year away from football to live in New York.

The prospect of buying Messi has been tentatively discussed and it's suggested Abramovich would not blink should Guardiola demand the Argentine's signing.

Messi's €250 million buyout clause is within Abramovich's reach and Chelsea's marketing men believe they would make their money back in shirt sales and merchandise.