The supposed offer of 250 million euros that Madrid made to Messi before signing Bale Barcelona According to Spiegel and El Mundo

It has come to light that Real Madrid were allegedly willing to pay Leo Messi's buyout clause in June 2013, a couple of months before closing the signing of Gareth Bale.

The Argentinian's lawyer informed his father, Jorge Messi, of the interest, and had it completed, the transfer would've smashed the world record.

Spiegel, a member of the EIC network to which EL MUNDO belongs, reported the offer of 250 million euros.

Their intention was to pay 23m euros net per year to Messi until 2021 and one million more to his father.

Real Madrid refuted any such bid had ever been made.

"This information doesn't conform in any way to reality, it is totally false," they said.

The news includes more details, such as the bizarre plan to get Messi's signature on the contract.

A meeting was to take place inside a private jet, in the presence of Leo Messi; his then lawyer Inigo Juarez; Florentino Perez; the then sports director, Miguel Pardeza; and a lawyer from Real Madrid.

Spiegel also note that Juarez told Jorge Messi that Real Madrid promised they would 'exert pressure on Rajoy' in the event that the player was then exposed for tax fraud.