Lionel Messi had pizza with Cesc Fabregas and Deco at Harrods
The Barcelona star has been subject of rumours that he could be ready to make a move to the Premier League despite spending his entire career at the Camp Nou so far.
And while Barca sporting director Ariedo Braida has admitted that a move to Manchester City is a possibility, the Blues have at least one major advantage in the race for the prodigious winger.
Messi remains very close with Fabregas and flew to London this weekend to spend time with the former Arsenal star.
The pair were spotted leaving an exclusive Mayfair casino last night before heading to the upmarket department store for a spot of pizza with ex-Chelsea and Barca star Deco.
Lionel Messi Player Profile
I think it’s almost impossible he will leave
Barca sporting director Ariedo Braida
Fabregas returned to Barcelona earlier this season to meet up with Messi - who's partner Antonella Rocuzzo is good friends with Daniella Semnan - and it seems that the Argentine ace was repaying the visit.
However, Messi's presence in west London shouldn't give Chelsea fans too much room for optimism that the 27-year-old could soon be gracing Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, Braida's comments tend to suggest that remaining at Barca is more likely than a £200million summer move.
He said: "I think it’s almost impossible he will leave but with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, who have so much money, it could happen.
"Sometimes strange things occur.
"But he’s a phenomenon, an extra-terrestrial who is comparable to Maradona and Pele."
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