L’Équipe are reporting Lionel Messi (35) and Paris Saint-Germain are nearing a divorce at the end of the current season.
The initial signs for a renewal were positive. During the Qatar World Cup, Jorge Messi, the player’s father, and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi decided that the Argentinian international would continue at Les Parisiens for at least another year. Five months later, and Messi’s future at PSG looks non-existent.
The two parties haven’t found an agreement to extend Messi’s current deal, which expires on 30th June. Whilst negotiations do continue, there is a feeling that there is a decreasing chance of a deal being concluded.
Whilst Barcelona, in financial turmoil, seemingly don’t have the means to bring Messi back to the Camp Nou, there is a growing confidence of a deal at the Catalan club. That confidence is reflected in the public discourse of the club with Rafael Yuste and manager Xavi both expressing a desire to bring Messi back to his formative club.
However, should Barcelona be prevented from making a move for Messi due to financial reasons, there is a chance that the player will remain at PSG. He still wants to play Champions League football next season, which seemingly excludes a move to Suadi Arabia or Inter Miami.
Even PSG are proposing a pay cut with the reigning Ligue 1 champions not wanting to make the same errors made last summer, where their wage bill forced them to recruit less financially onerous targets. According to L’Équipe, that pay cut may reduce Messi’s salary by a quarter. Messi and his entourage aren’t necessarily willing to accept this offer, but as things stand, there are no concrete offers from other clubs.
Messi doesn’t look like continuing the adventure at PSG beyond the end of the current season, but if he does, it will be on PSG’s terms.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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