Paris Saint-Germain are on the verge of signing Lionel Messi on a free transfer after he left Barcelona.
The Blaugrana announced their captain and greatest ever player would be leaving last night due to the club being unable to register a new five-year contract that looked set to be announced.
As per president Joan Laporta, La Liga deemed the contract to be invalid because of financial regulations they have in place.
PSG had clearly been monitoring the situation very closely and having been touted as favourites for the Argentine, multiple reports say they have reached an agreement to bring him to the French capital.
Messi looks set to link up with his former teammate and close friend Neymar at PSG, but Kylian Mbappe is widely expected to be leaving the Ligue One giants as a result of the move.
🚨🚨| Lionel Messi has decided: He wants to join PSG. Jorge Messi has reached an agreement with PSG and complete agreement is about to be done.@Santi_J_FM [🥇] pic.twitter.com/nwhcmCr31a
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) August 6, 2021
BREAKING: Leo Messi’s father has reached an agreement with PSG over his son’s contract! The Argentinian will join the French club. (Source: @Santi_J_FM) pic.twitter.com/hdVCWtosX7
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 6, 2021
🚨🚨| Messi will play at PSG. The agreement is total between both parties. Mbappé is more out of the Parisian team than ever and his departure in August is a reality. @AndiOnrubia
— Madrid Xtra. (@MadridXtra) August 6, 2021
🚨| Broadbrush personal terms agreement between PSG & Lionel Messi now reached, as reported by @SaberDesfa & @Santi_J_FM. More follows.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 6, 2021
Earlier on Friday it was reported that Neymar had offered Messi his No.10 shirt at the Parc Des Princes.
However, despite being appreciative of the gesture, Messi is said to have turned down Neymar’s proposal even if he does join him in Paris.
Messi joined Barcelona from Newell’s Old Boys as a 13-year-old and has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp.
In 778 games, Messi scored 672 goals and registered 305 assists for Barcelona. The 34-year-old also won a staggering 35 trophies, as well as a record six Ballon d’Ors.