Barcelona could play in the Premier League if Catalonia manages to secure independence from Spain

Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers

Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

The likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez could be playing in the Premier League in the not too distant future – and not because Manchester City are loosening their purse strings even more next summer.

Barcelona’s home of Catalunya is bidding for independence from Spain and their sports minister has opened up a world of possibilities for what that means for the football club.

Gerard Figueras has insisted that should the region secure independence then all the Catalan teams in La Liga would have to decide what league they wanted to play in – meaning Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona could end up in England, France or even Italy.

“In the case of independence, Catalan teams in La Liga – Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona – will have to decide where they want to play: in the Spanish league or a neighbouring country like Italy, France or the Premier League,” said Figueras last month.

“Now in Spain there teams from other countries who play in national leagues: clubs from Andorra in football and basketball.

“Monaco play in France, in England Welsh clubs. I don't think that Uefa has anything against seeing another club play in a different league from their country.”

Barcelona themselves have said whatever happens they want to stay in La Liga but after the latest developments in Catalan indepedence, nothing is certain for the club.