Leo Messi to Como? Fabregas wants it to happen as Chelsea advance on Simons deal

Cesc Fabregas: “Leo Messi to Como? Never say never. He came to my house for a vacation. We’re friends, and so are our wives and kids. His kids and wife were here recently.” (@TuttoMercatoWeb)

Gulf News verdict:

We all know Messi and Cesc have been friends for a long time. Their bond extends to their families as well. Cesc’s quotes about the possibility of Messi playing for Como, the Serie A club managed by Cesc Fabregas, have got everyone excited. But there are many other reports stating that Messi will extend his contract at Inter Miami as well.

As long as the signature for the extension isn’t signed, there will be loads of speculation about Messi’s future. The MLS season will finish by the end of this year and will only resume in February. So in a World Cup year, will that turn out to be a rusty period or will it keep him refreshed for the big event? It’s something we have to see.

De Paul's move to MLS

Rodrigo De Paul’s proposed move to Inter Miami also makes people believe that Messi is going to stay in MLS, as De Paul is termed Messi’s unofficial bodyguard by the fans and he is going there to play with Messi. However, when the season finishes in MLS, a six-month loan in the January window to Europe is still a possibility to get better prepared for the World Cup and to play in a more competitive league in Europe. Will that happen?

Como is an exciting project led by Cesc, but the possibility of that happening is slim. However, like Cesc said: Never say never.

Simons is open to the move and negotiations are progressing fast ahead of club-to-club contact over a fee.

(Source: Fabrizio Romano)

Gulf News verdict:

22-year-old Xavi Simons is an extremely talented player. He is young but comes with enough Champions League experience. Also, he has played 28 international games for Netherlands. The younster is versatile and can operate on the wings, as a No 10, and as a CM as well. Chelsea have many players to offload and this deal will depend on the outgoings of Nkunku, Felix, Sterling and Jackson. The reported fee is between €50-70 million and in this market, that’s a steal for a player of that calibre. Arsenal are also interested in this player. There is also another report from German journalist Florian Plettenberg that Leipzig are trying to sign Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka, who played for Dortmund on loan in the just finished season. Are we going to see a swap deal? Will Bayern or Arsenal try to hijack this deal? But I have a feeling that Chelsea will get this done.