29 clubs to launch bizarre joint Messi bid; Blues face mass exodus amid $223m danger: Rumour Mill

29 clubs to launch bizarre joint Messi bid; Blues face mass exodus amid $223m danger: Rumour Mill

A Premier League heavyweight could face a mass exodus in the summer to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP), while Spurs have reportedly settled on their top choice to replace Antonio Conte.

Meanwhile, every club in a single league may be forced to chip in to help bring Lionel Messi to their competition.

Catch up on the biggest whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!

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CHELSEA FIRE SALE IMMINENT AMID PRECARIOUS FFP SITUATION

Since Todd Boehly walked through the door at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have not been afraid to splash the cash.

However, the Blues may now be forced to tighten the pursestrings in a bid to comply with FFP after posting losses of $AUD223m last season.

Barring a miracle by winning the entire thing, Chelsea look set to miss out on Champions League football next season and the lucrative money that comes with the showpiece tournament.

According to The Times,it leaves the Premier League heavyweights in a financially precarious position and could lead to a fire sale of some of their stars.

So dire is the impending financial situation, football finance author Kieran Maguire believed the Blues will be “dancing on the head of a pin” to avoid breaking the FFP rules.

Players mentioned by Maguire in The Times’ report that could be forced out include England internationals Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher.

But Maguire also noted the large size of Chelsea’s squad and how that may ultimately prove to be a saving grace for the team when it comes to selling.

Mason Mount could be forced out the exit door at Chelsea as the Blues face an FFP squeeze. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)Source: AFP

THE BIZARRE 29-CLUB PLAN TO BRING MESSI TO MLS

Lionel Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season and his signature could soon become the hottest property in the summer.

A return to the French capital looms as the likeliest option for the World Cup winner given he has an option to extend his contract by a year, while his former club Barcelona remain desperately keen on a reunion.

However, those over in Major League Soccer (MLS) aren’t willing to give up on bringing the superstar to the United States without a fight.

In fact, a report from Spanish outlet Sport claims 29 MLS teams — yes, 29 — will chip in for his wages in an attempt to get Messi to the competition.

The idea was reportedly floated in a meeting between the club executives in February earlier this year, with the expectation being all clubs would benefit from the absurd commercial advantages Messi would bring to the MLS.

Given several clubs would be paying Messi’s wages, which are reportedly over a staggering $1.6m-a-week, there would no doubt be plenty of controversy as to how the payments take place.

29 MLS clubs could all pitch in to help bring Lionel Messi to the league. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)Source: AFP

MANAGERIAL PRODIGY TOPS SPURS’ WISH LIST

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly got his top choice in mind for Antonio Conte’s successor.

Levy is under enormous pressure to get the next appointment right given the Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte experiments all proved to be expensive failures.

He also must ensure the appointment stands a chance of convincing Harry Kane to sign an extension at the club given the talismanic striker will have just 12 months left on his deal at the end of the season.

The Telegraph reports Julian Nagelsmann, who recently became a free agent after being sacked by Bayern Munich, is at the top of the shortlist.

Also on the shortlist is Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as well as former Spain manager Luis Enrique.

The report claims Nagelsmann has his admirers over at Real Madrid, meaning Spurs will almost certainly face a massive fight to secure his services.