According to ESPN (via Daily Express), Tottenham are one of three clubs to have made an offer for out-of-contract superstar Lionel Messi.

The Lowdown: Messi a free agent

After spending his entire career with Barcelona, Messi is now a free agent after his contract at the Camp Nou expired (Eurosport).

That now means he can be signed without a transfer fee, and there will no doubt be a whole host of clubs across the world who would be eager to capture the 151-cap Argentina international.

The Latest: Spurs make offer

It has now been stunningly reported that Spurs are one of three clubs to make an offer for the 34-year-old.

Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are the two other sides said to be in pursuit, although French journalist Julien Laurens has said that the forward will join the Ligue 1 outfit.

The Verdict: Pipe dream

Who wouldn't want to sign Messi? After all, the £72m-valued four-time Champions League winner (Transfermarkt) is an icon of the game - with six Ballons d'Or, he is perhaps the greatest player ever to take to the pitch. With 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona (Transfermarkt), it seems incredible that he can now be signed for free - although his wages mean that it will not be a cheap deal.

That Tottenham are said to have even made a bid is remarkable. However, this really is just a pipe dream for Spurs - even if they could afford his salary, their lack of Champions League football hardly makes them the most enticing of options for Messi. Unfortunately for Daniel Levy and co, he is very likely to end up elsewhere.

In other news, Tottenham also want this Real Madrid ace.