Report: Russian club trigger £205m Lionel Messi release clause

An unknown Russian club has triggered a £205m release clause for Barcelona's Lionel Messi, according to reports.

Messi signed a new contract with the Catalan club earlier this month which included the clause that would make him the most expensive footballer in history.

The Sun reports that the unnamed club, thought to be Anzhi Makhachkala, offered the three-time Ballon d'Or winner a staggering £460,000 a week, totalling £24m a year after tax.

However, following discussions with his family and club president Sandro Rosell, Messi turned down the offer after Barca were forced to accept it.

Messi recently became the highest scorer ever in a calender year, netting 91 times in 2012.