Antonio Conte has described rumours linking Lionel Messi to Inter Milan as “fantasy football”, saying the idea if very far from materialising.

Reports earlier emerged that Inter are planning to lure Barcelona legend Lionel Messi to the Italian League with the help of their shirt sponsors.

The Argentine forward’s current deal with the Catalans expire in the summer of 2021 and he is yet to renew or sign an extension with the club.

He has recently been linked with a move away from the club following the altercation he had with his employers earlier this season.

Messi has been linked with a transfer to Inter before and tyre company Pirelli will back club president Steven Zhang in an audacious move for the 33-year-old.

But their chief executive admitted the contribution can only be small following the financial fall out of the coronavirus pandemic.

Reports from the Camp Nou claims the 33-year-old isn’t happy with the way things are at the club and would want to leave at the expiration of his contract.

Speaking after Inter’s 3-0 victory over Genoa on Saturday, Conte insisted that he couldn’t think of a “madman in the world who wouldn’t want Messi.”

“We’re talking about fantasy football, situations that at the moment cannot be linked to Inter. For many reasons,” Conte told reporters.

He told Sky Sport Italia: “It’s fantasy football. He certainly is not one of our objectives and I think he’s interested in continuing his football career in Barcelona.”

360aproko earlier reported that Lionel Messi has reportedly told Barcelona to sign Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa to replace under-fire manager Quique Setien, cited on The Sun.

The Argentine boss recently secured promotion for Leeds into the Premier League as his contract ends this season. The 64-year-old is yet to discuss a new deal with his employers and Messi wants Barcelona to take advantage of the situation.

There have been crisis at the Camp Nou as after La Blaugrana surrendered La Liga title to Real Madrid in the past week.