DHAKA: Lionel Messi weighed up a shock transfer to Arsenal before signing a new Barcelona deal just two months ago, according to reports in Spain.  

The Argentina striker locked horns with the Spanish club in May as he demanded a new contract that would make him the best-paid player in the world.

He spoke to team-mate Cesc Fabregas, to ask his agent to sound out a potential move to Arsenal.

The 27-year-old had a £197million buy-out clause and wanted wages close to £300,000 a week.

Both would have put him out of Arsenal’s reach but as a long-time fan of Arsene Wenger, Messi considered a move, says Spanish website Vozpopuli.

The disillusioned star was reeling as Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League and lost the league title to Atletico Madrid.

At the same time Fabregas was discussing a potential return to the Emirates, but Wenger well stocked in midfield did not take up first option to buy him.

Barca quickly tied Messi to a new deal. The buy-out clause stayed the same but his wages rose from £10m a year to £16m a year, according to Spanish media.

Messi missed out on the Ballon d’Or as best player in the world to Cristiano Ronaldo, but still scored 41 goals in 44 games and would have instantly made Arsenal title contenders.

However, signing him would have smashed their record transfer fee (£42.5m for Mesut Ozil) as well as their wage structure, reports Daily Express. 

BDST: 0902 HRS, JUL 23, 2014