What would be the most expensive free transfer ever is brewing with Lionel Messi plotting to leave Barcelona via a disputed clause in his contract.
Manchester City are favourites to sign Messi, but their Premier League rivals Chelsea have already made quite the free signing of their own after snapping up Thiago Silva from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 35-year-old Brazilian signed a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge for no transfer fee earlier this week as Frank Lampard continues a £200million-plus overhaul of his Chelsea squad.
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With Silva making the move to England - and with Messi on the brink of joining him, Sportsmail takes a look back at the best free transfers in Premier League history.