Messi preparing for a possible Premier League move by learning English, says Balague

Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or on four occasions.

Barcelona icon Lionel Messi is reported to be learning English and the possibility of exiting the Catalan club for a move to the Premier League could be on the cards, according to TalkSport. Messi has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this week and this news will now put the Premier League giants on high alert.

Guillem Balague, who’ s a Spanish football expert, had claimed earlier this week that the Argentinian ‘has never been closer' to leaving the Nou Camp and this has given a glimmer of hope for several top sides in England including Manchester City, United and Chelsea to land the ‘best footballer on planet’ at their respective clubs.

The claims by Balague have now been reiterated as he told TalkSport in an interview that Barcelona’s biggest asset has begun English lessons as he weighs up a move to the United Kingdom. “He’s learning English in case he needs it. He is preparing for that possibility.” he said.

“He has heard from Sergio Aguero and Cesc Fabregas how wonderful England and the Premier League is. There’s an attraction there for a new challenge. He’s maturing, he wants to imagine himself in England and he watches the Premier League. He’s learning English in case he needs it. He is preparing for that possibility.”

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner's exit from Nou Camp may not come easy for the clubs interested in sealing his signature. Messi is reported to have a buy-out clause of €250 million which is beyond the reach of most top clubs in Europe.

However, the fact that the Argentina captain has spent the entirety of his playing days with the European champions could serve as an advantage to lure him out of the club. Messi has won 25 major titles and a couple of individual honours with the Blaugrana side. He may want to seek for greener pastures and a fresh new challenge in the prime of his career.

Balague has revealed that several of the European powerhouses made an attempt to sign the Barca star in the past, including their arch-rivals Real Madrid and Premier League's Arsenal.

“Real Madrid tried – so did Arsenal. At the time when Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas were agreed, the three of them were in the same team and Messi was approached as well,” Balague added.

Only time will tell if the four-time Ballon d’Or winner is considering a move to the so-called ‘Best football league in Europe’. However, former club president Joan Laporta insisted that the club has no plans of selling Messi as he is seen as the ‘heart of the club’ and they will do whatever they can to keep hold of him.