Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi reportedly sounded out Arsenal last season regarding a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

In May of this year, the 27-year-old committed his future to his Catalan employers by signing a new contract, which is believed to contain a release clause in the region of £200m.

However, prior to having agreed to those fresh terms, the Argentine international, who had grown frustrated with life at the Camp Nou, asked former Gunners midfielder and his then Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas to talk to his agent Darren Dein regarding the logistics of a move to the North Londoners, according to Spanish outlet Vozpopuli.

The report adds that Fabregas was also discussing terms with Arsenal at the same time, but the midfielder eventually signed for London rivals Chelsea.

It is believed that even if Messi had decided to leave Barca, Arsenal would have struggled to raise the necessary transfer funds to secure the deal.