A journalist has claimed that Newcastle United would have had a good chance of signing Lionel Messi if the proposed takeover went through last summer.

The Lowdown: Takeover problems

The whole takeover saga has been dragging on since last summer when there looked to be a great chance of getting it through. Delay after delay has meant that an arbitration case between the St. James' Park faithful and the Premier League over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group is set to take place early next year.

Coinciding with the takeover whispers in the North East, Messi reportedly told FC Barcelona last summer that he wanted to leave, and has now made all of the headlines once more by signing for PSG this summer after problems with his contract.

The Latest: Messi claim

Replying to a fan on Twitter, journalist and TV anchor at Facebook, Joe Morrison, has claimed that there 'would have been a VERY high probability' of Messi moving to Tyneside last summer if the club were taken over by the KSA consortium.

They would have likely had the money to pay his wages, and it would have been up to the player if he fancied a new challenge by joining the Magpies.

The Verdict: What could have been

Had the takeover have gone through, Steve Bruce's team would have no doubt been linked to some world superstars that they would never have previously had a chance of signing.

Above all, Messi would have been a truly unbelievable signing, and it would have been a dream for the Toon Army to watch him play in the Premier League in their black-and-white stripes.

However, they would have likely been competing with top sides in European football should he have definitely moved on, and so may have found it difficult to do a deal, even if they offered him more money than anyone else.

In other news, find out which £33.9m-rated 'phenomenon' NUFC could now sign here!