Lionel Messi is set to leave PSG this summer as the club embarks on a new strategy focused on recruiting young French players – with Barcelona eyeing a sensational deal.
When his contract expires at the end of the current season, Paris Saint-Germain is expecting Lionel Messi to leave.
In the summer of 2021, Lionel Messi joined the French club on a two-year contract as a free agent. Although he is helping them to successive Ligue 1 crowns, they have not been able to achieve Champions League glory.
PSG does not feel any urgency to extend the arrangement with the Argentine superstar as his contract expires in just two months.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi aims to make PSG a more financially sustainable project with fewer star names and more focus on young French talents, which is the reason behind this development.
The transfer chiefs of Barcelona have confirmed that they have made contact with Messi’s camp regarding a potential return to Camp Nou, and the Catalan club is hopeful of signing him this summer. While Messi and his camp are aware of the interest, no official approach has been made yet.
The decision on Messi’s future now primarily depends on Barca’s financial situation, as the club must make significant economic savings before registering any new additions this summer. However, they intend to sign several free agents.
Barca has an agreement in place to sign Inigo Martinez, a Spain international defender whose contract at Athletic Club Bilbao will expire in June. Additionally, the club hopes to sign Ilkay Gundogan, a central midfielder from Manchester City who is open to a switch to the current leaders of La Liga this summer. Talks have been held between the respective parties amid Gundogan’s contractual uncertainty.
There are suggestions that Messi is willing to take a significant wage reduction to facilitate a sensational return to Barcelona, and the Catalan giants are also intent on signing him.
However, before registering any new contracts, they will need to make significant savings this summer due to La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play controls.
Unlike last summer, clubs cannot sell their assets to fund their transfer budgets.
Barcelona used this mechanism, which they self-described as “financial levers,” last summer to fund their heavy transfer spend, including the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha.
Although Barcelona has a bullish public stance, their unofficial position is that they will consider transfer offers for any member of their first-team squad at the right price.
The club is confident that their anticipated league title triumph will see the value of several assets rise.
Raphinha, Ansu Fati, and Ferran Torres are among the most likely players to leave Barcelona due to their market value and lack of being fundamental first-team players.
Andreas Christensen’s superb season after joining as a free agent from Chelsea makes him a highly marketable player as well.
However, the club may be frustrated as Frenkie de Jong, their highest earner, refused to consider a move or a wage reduction to his existing terms after the club agreed to sell him to Manchester United last summer.
There is much speculation about the future of talented teenage midfielder Gavi, whose senior contract at the club has yet to be registered.
Chelsea is one of the clubs monitoring the Spain international’s situation. However, Gavi rose through Barca’s La Masia youth system and holds genuine affection for the club.
Like De Jong, he may rule out any exit.
Messi’s situation now depends on Barca’s financial situation and the potential summer signings allowed to register by La Liga.
While it’s uncertain, it’s not entirely ruled out that he may extend his stay in Paris.
However, the current situation means that the decision between the player and club is only likely to arrive once other avenues have been exhausted.
A transfer offer for Messi is also on the table from Saudi Arabia, but Al-Hilal is currently under a transfer ban and Messi wants to remain in Europe for now.
That stance leaves PSG and Barcelona as Messi’s two clearest options.
Despite turning 36 this summer, Messi remains the most marketable superstar in world football and continues to be one of the leading attacking talents in the sport.
Unlike other stars in the past decade, his arrival at PSG has proven profitable for the club, as he came on a significantly reduced wage from his previous Barca agreement and has helped enhance the club’s sponsorship agreements.