Chelsea are reportedly planning an astonishing £80million move for Lionel Messi.

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Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has authorised the blockbusting swoop for Barcelona's Argentinian superstar, according to the News of the World.

Messi showed his brilliance to English fans by performing superbly in Barca's Champions League semi-final clashes with Manchester United.

The only man in world football capable of putting Cristiano Ronaldo in the shade could be the subject of a world record-breaking Chelsea bid that would dwarf the £48million that took Zinedine Zidane from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.

Barcelona are desperate to keep Messi, but a world-record bid could force their hand and fund a wholesale renovation of the Camp Nou side.

A source close to the deal told the newspaper: "Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him.

"He has always wanted that type of player. Under Jose Mourinho he accepted the football because it was bringing in the trophies but he got bored. Grant wants to change things but has explained it takes time and a lot of money to alter the style.

"Now is the time for Roman to finance that change. Chelsea are attractive because of the wages on offer and they are in the Champions League final."