Lionel Messi Transfer: PSG have talked to Leo Messi about a new contract and if he doesn’t sign one by the end of this season, he will become a free agent. In the midst of this, Barcelona president Joan Laporta agreed in an interview that he met with the Argentine’s father Jorge Messi. They talked about a tribute for Messi at Camp Nou, but as per reports, they did not talk about the player’s potential return to his childhood club. Follow La Liga LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
PSG has approached Lionel Messi twice already with new contract deals, but he turned them down both times. They are still trying to ensure that the Argentine stays in France as their Qatari owners declared that they want to see the deal closing as soon as possible. However, PSG want him to take a 25% pay cut to comply with the Financial Fair Play, but Messi has refused to do so.
The environment at PSG has also not been very favourable for the player as fans have been booing him during their last few matches. There were also some rumours that his relationship with his teammate Kylian Mbappe has become somewhat bitter after World Cup 2022. However, as per reports, that is not true and even Mbappe has been trying to convince Messi to stay in France.
As more time goes by, the talks of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona have been growing. Xavi said during a press conference that he has talked to Leo Messi, while Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste has also confirmed that they are trying to bring Messi back to Barcelona. President Joan Laporta also confirmed that he met with Messi’s father Jorge Messi, but there were no transfer talks.
He said, “I met Jorge Messi yes. We talked about the World Cup and a tribute match for Leo. He’s at PSG right now, so I don’t want to speak about whether or not he could return.” Laporta did not say whether they talked about a possible return. However, Spanish radio personality Sique Rodriguez said they did not discuss the issue upon meeting.
Jorge Messi was informed by Joan Laporta that they must receive a tribute from FC Barcelona before leaving Europe. Leo Messi has been informed by unreliable sources that Barça will make him an offer. The Al Hilal offer, worth €420m per year, is still available.
— @La_SER pic.twitter.com/YKqACSkIOt
— Everything Barca Lite (@Barca_Lite) April 10, 2023
Reportedly, Barcelona are working behind the scenes to improve their financial situation, so that they can bring Leo Messi while staying on the right side of Financial Fair Play. As per their situation, they can offer Messi €10 million per year. They will also offer incentives along with this salary that will include a share of their commercial profits gained from his return and sponsorship deals.
Lionel Messi has not received any deal from Barcelona as of yet, but reports say that once Barcelona have sorted their financial woes, they will present the Argentine with a deal. However, they will have to do it as soon as possible because Messi has already received some highly lucrative deals from David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami and Qatari club Al-Hilal.
