'Inter Milan want to sign Lionel Messi' - report

Messi's contract with Barcelona currently runs until 2018 and although an extension is expected that hasn't stopped speculation about his future.

Mundo Deportivo say that with the money from their new Chinese owners Inter want to sign the Argentine forward.

The report says that the club's new owners want to throw everything possible at Messi and Barcelona in order to make a deal happen and give their fans hope and belief that the good times can return to the club.

There's no two ways about this, it's just not going to happen, ever.

Messi has been with Barcelona for well over a decade and his love for the club is evident. Yes we're into the final 18 months of his contract but before too long you'd expect an announcement about a Messi renewal.

This will follow on from the new deals for Real Madrid pair Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Messi's own team-mate Luis Suarez, and his new deal should eclipse all of these new contracts, making him the highest paid player in the world once more.

If Messi were to ever leave Barcelona we can't see it being anywhere but Argentina to return to home team Newell's Old Boys.