With superstar forward Lionel Messi leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the race to land his signature is gathering pace but it appears that two frontrunners have emerged.
The 35-year-old icon will depart the French capital this summer and is not short on suitors, with offers having emerged from clubs around the globe. It had appeared that the Argentinian superstar was set for a move to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, where he would have resumed his old rivalry with the Portuguese ace.
With the league season now having concluded in Europe, it seems as though the powers-that-be at Al-Hilal are willing to break the bank to land a host of stars including Messi. The Saudi outfit have reportedly offered the World Cup winner a deal worth an eye-watering $400 million per year, according to the Athletic.
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have already pulled off several spectacular deals in recent weeks, with the impending transfer of current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema from Real Madrid to Al Ittihad having shocked the football world. It has also emerged that the PIF — which also owns Newcastle United — will soon take control of the leading Saudi Pro League clubs Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al AhlI, with these deals set to be in place by August.
However, it is claimed Messi is now willing to spurn the advances of any offer from Saudi Arabia, with the proposal 'not under consideration', as per a separate report in the Athletic. Instead, he has narrowed his choice down to just two remaining clubs - joining David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami or returning to Barcelona, the club where he spent the majority of his career.
A fairytale return to the Camp Nou would see him reunite with former teammate and now manager Xavi Hernandez. Messi's father and agent, Jorge, met with representatives of the Catalonian club and openly admitted that his son would "love to return", speaking to JijantesFC following the meeting.
On top of this, the Blaugrana coach boss Xavi also has revealed that he "is in no doubt" that the 35-year-old would "help" the club to achieve its goals. In an interview with Spanish outlet Sport, he explained: "If Messi were to return, he would help us in what we are wanting to achieve with our football."
What would be the best move for Lionel Messi? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
He added: "I am in no doubt and I've told this to the president. He continues to be a determined footballer, he has the hunger still."
A sensational move to Inter Miami does currently appear to be the most likely destination for the former La Masia prodigy, with claims Inter Miami are increasingly optimistic of getting a deal done. MLS partners Adidas and Apple could play a vital role as the league pulls out all the stops to land Messi.
It has been an eventful week for the Florida club, with coach of two years Phil Neville having been sacked following a torrid run of form that left them bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, signing one of the greatest players to ever play the game could go some way to arresting the slide.
