Chelsea and Manchester City are on red alert over news from Spain that Lionel Messi is becoming fed-up at Barcelona. In the aftermath of Barca's shock 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad, where Messi started the game from the bench, local radio Cadena Cope says the Argentine is at breaking point over his situation.
Messi has lost all confidence in coach Luis Enrique and doesn't believe he is up to the job.
The multiple Ballon d'Or is also angry with the board for choosing the former Barca captain and is now seriously considering his long-term future at the Nou Camp.
Waiting on the sidelines are big spenders City and Chelsea.
It was revealed earlier this season that Blues owner Roman Abramovich failed with an audacious £200 million summer bid for Messi - and the Russian is sure to be encouraged by the current situation.
As will be City, where Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain are both close to Messi and his father, Jorge.
Messi's close friend Cesc Fabregas, who joined Chelsea in the summer, has been trying to persuade his pal that his future lies at Stamford Bridge.
The attacker is already studying English, and believes his son Thiago would receive a better education in London.