How Deco’s Chelsea Connections Influenced Lionel Messi’s €250 Million Transfer to Stamford Bridge

Deco Linked Lionel Messi with Jose Mourinho and Chelsea

<p>Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio’s book, *Grand Hotel Calciomercato*, reveals that Deco was key in connecting Lionel Messi’s team with Chelsea's management in early 2014.</p>

<p>This move emerged as Messi faced frustration over a tax investigation in Spain, making him seriously consider leaving Barcelona for the first time.</p>

<p>Deco, who had played at Chelsea for two years under Roman Abramovich, contacted his former manager, Jose Mourinho, to discuss a possible transfer.</p>

<p>A meeting was arranged at Mourinho’s home in London to discuss how to facilitate the deal, which led to a notable FaceTime call between Messi and Mourinho.</p>

<p>Messi was reportedly impressed by Mourinho’s proposal. Di Marzio mentioned that Chelsea was prepared to activate Messi's €250 million release clause and offer him £50 million per year in wages.</p>

<p>Discussions progressed to the point where club director Marina Granovskaia was set to present a formal contract.</p>

<p>However, the secrecy surrounding the talks ultimately derailed the deal. When Messi's father and agent, Jorge, learned of the negotiations—conducted without his knowledge—he quickly halted the move, upset that decisions about his son’s future were made without family input.</p>

<h2>The Unwound Move</h2>

<p>Chelsea’s management and intermediaries had high hopes for the deal. Mourinho envisioned Messi as a game-changer for English football and an essential part of his team.</p>

<p>But once Jorge Messi intervened, Di Marzio described the situation as "bursting like a soap bubble."</p>

<p>Deco's role was significant in initiating contact but ended up contributing to the breakdown after news of the secret discussions circulated among mutual friends, including then-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas.</p>

<p>Once the news reached Messi’s father, there was no turning back. Messi soon denied any intention of leaving Barcelona, and the transfer was quietly abandoned.</p>

<p>In the end, Messi chose to stay at Barcelona, signing a new contract shortly after, while Chelsea shifted their focus to other players.</p>

<p>For Deco, it served as a reminder of how close one of football’s most dramatic transfer stories came to being reality.</p>

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