Chelsea negotiate Lionel Messi's Barca exit amid Argentine ace's tax fallout

Jorge Messi, the father and representative of five-time Ballon d'Or winnerLionel Messi, has held negotiations with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich concerning the Barcelona No. 10's potential departure from the Camp Nou, the Sun reported.

With Messi being handed a 21-month jail sentence (he's unlikely to serve any time) and a €2 million fine for tax fraud, the Sun reported that the Argentine has felt that Barcelona haven't been as supportive as they could've been throughout the ordeal. The West London club reportedly have kept a close eye on developments in the case and were alerted to the possibility of Messi's departure.

Should "La Pulga" leave the Catalan giants, Chelsea would reportedly find themselves in pole position for his signature. The subsequent transfer fee would "smash the £100 million mark," the Sun said.