Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune harbour hopes of an ambitious deal to land Barcelona star Lionel Messi, say reports in Spain.
The Chinese club allegedly made contact with the Blaugrana a year ago for the Argentine, with their approach said to have been rejected off-hand.
However, El Mundo Deportivo now state this has not deterred Hebei, who have once more resumed contact with the hope the superstar will agree a move to the Far East.
The club have already signed one Argentine from Barca this year – with the purchase of Javier Mascherano – while another – Ezequiel Lavezzi, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain – is already on their books.
Hebei are managed by former Real Madrid Coach Manuel Pellegrini, but may not be able to offer near to Messi’s €700m release clause at the Camp Nou.