Lampard is trying to sign Messi for Chelsea, jokes Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand jokingly remarked that Frank Lampard is on red alert for Lionel Messi as the Chelsea boss plots a sensational move.

What was just a rumor is now a reality as Messi handed in a transfer request to Barcelona following a dismal campaign on Tuesday, which convinced him to bring an end to his glorious Camp Nou career.

The 33-year-old notified Barcelona of his decision via Burofax, a Spanish postal service for urgently dispatching documents to third parties, and his lawyers are now manufacturing his exit.

He hopes to make use of a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave as a free agent despite the option to activate it expiring in June.

Lionel Messi has asked Barcelona to accept a clause in his contract that would allow him to move on a free this summer. The club are holding an emergency meeting to discuss the issue, reports @rac1 🚨 pic.twitter.com/dGI6DITayL

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 25, 2020

But it appears Messi’s legal team believe they can use the three-month coronavirus enforced-break to their advantage, as the club’s 2019/20 campaign hadn’t ended until this month.

The possible availability of someone widely regarded as the world’s best player has unsurprisingly stirred up a wealth of interest, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United reportedly entering the race.

There’s no ruling out Manchester City or Inter Milan either, whose owners would gladly break the bank for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Now Ferdinand has playfully suggested on Twitter that his old England and West Ham teammate Lampard has also entered the mix with Chelsea.

Just heard Frank Lampard is now in for #messi
Some window this if Lamps pulls this off !!

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) August 25, 2020

The 42-year-old has made great use of his first transfer window as Chelsea manager by signing RB Leipzig star Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech from Ajax for a combined €93m.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz and Malang Sarr, who recently left Nice as a free agent, are also reportedly on his shortlist along with Thiago Silva, who is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday.