Lionel Messi is likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract with the club no longer prioritising a renewal amid transfer interest from Barcelona.
Mirror Football exclusively reported that PSG are no longer prioritising a new deal for the Argentine superstar when his agreement expires at the end of June.
Barcelona are hopeful of signing Messi this summer, with the Catalan club’s transfer chiefs confirming contact had been made with the player’s camp regarding a potential return to the Camp Nou. Messi and his camp are aware of this interest, but no official approach has yet been made.
Messi’s future now primarily hinges on Barca’s financial situation. The club must make huge economic savings ahead of registering any new additions this summer, and they are intent on signing several free agents.
The club have an agreement in place to sign Spain international defender Inigo Martinez when his contract at Athletic Club Bilbao expires this summer. They are also negotiating with Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.
Barca are also intent on signing Messi, with suggestions that he is willing to take a significant wage reduction to facilitate a sensational return. However, the Catalan giants will need to make significant savings this summer before registering any new contracts due to La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play controls.
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A report in El Mundo now outlines a clause that Barca are inserting into any new contracts – renewals or new signings – that will allow the players to leave the club if another team shows interest in them if Barca cannot register them for competitions. Any discrepancy in wages will also be supplemented by the Catalan club in this scenario.
That highlights the club’s concern about their financial situation and position to register new signings. It comes with Barcelona needing to play in the Olympic Stadium in the Montjuic area of Barcelona, amid works to their Camp Nou home.
Aside from the construction costs themselves, which will be significant, the club have outlined – as per Marca – that the loss in matchday revenue over the course of a season is estimated to be £50million, although the initial estimates were closer to £90million. The 49,000 capacity is half that of Barca’s long-term home.
The club funding a move for Messi will clearly be wrought with complications. As detailed by AS, Barca are considering transforming their old La Masia headquarters next to the Camp Nou into a Messi Museum which they believe could help them profit from visitors. However, such a move would unlikely satisfy Financial Fair Play for this season as it does not represent immediate profit.
Nothing is certain in Messi’s future but as things stand it appears that Barcelona will get a free run at signing him this summer. However, their financial position is likely to complicate any pursuit and mean that uncertainty over the player’s future has a little while left to run.
