Ronaldo and Messi in England?

Over the last 6 months, the rumours of seeing Messi and/or Ronaldo playing for a Premier League side have increased but is there any possibility of it happening? It would be something amazing but I have to admit, it seems unlikely. The Premier League claims to be the best league in the world and it is the richest, yet the two best players in the world do not play in it so they would surely be a way of cementing the league as the best.

Messi:
Expense - As he is considered to be the best player in the world by millions worldwide, it is no secret that he will cost a lot. The transfer fee and also his wages would limit his sale to a handful of clubs in England, only realistically, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are the main clubs who can afford him. It is claimed that to tempt Barcelona too sell up, it would take a bid well in excess of £100 million and even possibly closer to the £200 million mark. It is also claimed that an English club would have to pay him more than Barcelona and some of the possible wages that have been talked about have risen to about £800,000 a week.

Happy at Barcelona - He won the treble last season and they are arguably the best team in the world so it would take a lot to make him want to give that all up. If he stays at Barcelona, he will win trophy after trophy and break record after record but the only thing that might make him want to go to England, is the idea of a new challenge for the final years of his career. Winning trophies outside of Spain would show any doubters that he is one of the best ever footballers because one criticism could be that a lot of his success is due to being a part of a great Barca side, this is even backed up by the inability to win silverware with Argentina. However, he still has 6 or 7 years at the top level if not more so he still has time to deal with international success.

Tax Problems - The main thing that might make Messi want to leave Spain is that he feels he is being targeted and unfairly treated over the tax issues. He would be free from scrutiny in the UK and would not have to constantly be answering questions. I just don't think one lifestyle problem could make him move away from the country and life that he calls home. England is the unknown, he knows Barcelona better than anybody so it would be easier playing for the club he loves and in the city he loves and dealing with the questions surrounded by family. If things get worse, you never know what might happen but right now, I think he would prefer to stay where he is and just deal with any allegations.

Ronaldo:
Price - Like Messi, he would cost a ridiculous amount, likely to be around the £80 - £100 million range so it will be the same three English teams that can afford him but it seems unlikely for him to join Manchester City due to his loyalty to United and I don't think he would want to work under Mourinho after their time together at Madrid. You would think that United would be his first choice because of his history with the club but football often throws up surprises so we can't be sure.

Unhappy in Madrid - Stories about Ronaldo being miserable come out of Madrid every couple of months and after their 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona, there are clear signs that things aren't as good as we would think. Pressure is on Benitez, Perez and the squad as a whole and the constant criticism isn't really helping Ronaldo. The idea of playing for a team that fully appreciates him could persuade him to come back to England. Manchester United would welcome him back with open arms as he is still considered a hero to the fans.

If either of them decide to join the Premier League, it will most likely in a couple of years when the new tv deal gives a English teams a lot more money as they will be happier to spend the huge amounts needed and Ronaldo and Messi will both be a few years older and nearing the end of their careers so a final challenge will seem appealing to them.