Balague, a regular Sky Sports pundit, revealed that Messi has ‘never been closer to leaving Barcelona’ earlier this week – and reiterated that sentiment on the Sports Bar on Thursday night.
“He’s never been closer to leaving Barcelona, he is thinking about it,” Balague said.
“He has heard from Sergio Aguero and Cesc Fabregas how wonderful England and the Premier League is. There’s an attraction there for a new challenge.
“He’s maturing, he wants to imagine himself in England and he watches the Premier League. He’s learning English in case he needs it. He is preparing for that possibility.”
Messi has spent the entirety of his career with the European giants, claiming 25 major titles and the Ballon d’Or on four occasions, although Cristiano Ronaldo has pipped him to the award in the last two seasons.
Balague insists a number of Europe’s heavyweights have attempted to prise the 28-year-old away from Barcelona in the past, including both the Catalans’ arch rivals Real Madrid and even Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
Balague added: “Real Madrid tried – so did Arsenal.
“At the time when Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas were agreed [the former moving to Manchester United and the latter switching to Arsenal], the three of them were in the same team and Messi was approached as well.”