English Premiership giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have made contact with representatives of football superstar Lionel Messi after he reportedly indicated that he is ready to quit Barcelona.

A report this morning in The Sun of London said that after 14 years in Spain, Messi is eager for a move to the Premier League. It said that Manchester United, Chelsea Manchester City have made contact representatives of the four-time World Player of the Year, with one of them making contact on two occasions in the last week.

Messi, who is currently kept out of action by a knee ligament injury, has in the recent past contended with tax troubles in Catalonia, with the 28-year-old and his father Jorge presently facing trial over an alleged £3.1m tax fraud.

Messi’s current Barcelona contract is due to expire in June 2018 and has a buyout clause of €250 million in it.

•Photo shows Lionel Messi.