Lionel Messi was surprisingly linked to Arsenal last week, so what's the story behind the rumours?
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World Cup Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi was linked with Arsenal last week, after reports in Spain claimed he had asked about the Gunners.
The Mail reported: "Top Spanish website Vozpopuli claims that Messi asked Cesc Fabregas to talk to his agent Darren Dein about a move to the Gunners.
"While Fabregas was discussing a return to the Emirates ahead of a move to London rivals Chelsea, Messi reportedly discussed the same move."
While Messi went onto agree a contract extension with Barcelona, the reason behind his supposed interest in such a move may just be his close bond with Fabregas, or rather that of the two partners.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo report that Fabregas' other half, Daniella Semaan and Antonella Rocuzzo, girlfriend of Lionel Messi, are 'inseparable'.
It was on social media site Instagram that Fabregas' departure was confirmed by Semaan in a message to her friend.
Mundo Deportivo talked about the duo met up last week on Italy's Amalfi Coast, their latest pictures together the reason for their report.
The bond goes a way to explaining, and adding credibility to the theory that Lionel Messi may have sounded out a potential Gunners switch.
Whether simply as an act of courtesy to tell his girlfriend he had asked, and it was impossible, or if genuine desire lay behind it, we may never know - but Arsenal fans should simply be relieved he has now signed a new deal - for Fabregas may otherwise have attempted to somehow lure the Argentine to Chelsea instead.
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