Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is ready to quit the club – with Arsenal his preferred destination.

T he Argentina international is reportedly fed up of his battles with Spanish tax authorities and considering moving to a different country.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are all touted as possible destinations, but the report claims that Messi favours a switch to the Emirates, where he find former Barca team-mate Alexis Sanchez and the brand of football closest to Barcelona’s currently available in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old’s wage demands would pose a problem for the Gunners and, indeed, any Premier League club.

Messi is reportedly targeted an £18m salary after tax, which means potential suitors will need to offer around £600,000-a-week in order to secure his signing.

While his footballing skills and ability to shift replica shirts might make that decent value for money, it would involve clubs tearing up existing wage structures.