Chelsea's audacious attempt to sign Lionel Messi appears to have moved a step closer, with the Barcelona forward reportedly seeking a move away from Camp Nou.

The Blues have been heavily linked with the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, despite manager Jose Mourinho recently playing down speculation by claiming that his side had "no chance" of landing the Barca star.

However, that has not stopped speculation intensifying over the past few days suggesting that a 'fed-up' Messi could be on his way to West London, with The Sun claiming that Chelsea are willing to stump up a mammoth £500m to land the Argentina international.

It is thought that £200m will needed to buy out the player's release clause, while the rest will go towards wages on a contract which will last until 2021.

The newspaper report quotes a source as saying: "Leo's minded to leave Barca. He is completely fed up with so many things at the club that it is difficult to see a way forward."

Messi, who has scored 389 goals in 481 appearances for the Catalan giants, reportedly become embroiled in a cash dispute with the club last summer which led to questions surrounding his long-term future in Spain.