PSG now ‘frontrunners’ to strike deal with £1m-a-week star at Parc des Princes

Paris Saint-Germain are the ‘frontrunners’ to reach an agreement with Lionel Messi over a new deal despite the Parc des Princes favourite attracting interest from elsewhere, according to journalist Robin Bairner.

The attacker made the move to the French capital from Barcelona last year, but there are question marks over where his long-term future lies.

What’s the latest news involving Messi?

Messi will enter the final six months of his PSG contract – which is worth just over £1million-per-week – in January, but there is an option to extend the agreement by a further year.

According to The Athletic, the reigning Ligue 1 champions are pushing hard to extend his deal, but Inter Miami are looking to lure the 35-year-old to Major League Soccer.

The report suggests Messi, who will be looking to add to his 164 Argentina caps at the upcoming World Cup, has been holding discussions with the Florida-based side for a couple of years and there is increasing confidence that the proposed transfer will materialise.

It is understood that Barcelona president Joan Laporta also wants to bring the forward back to the Camp Nou during the January transfer window.

However, Messi will not leave PSG midway through the campaign and will reportedly make a decision over his long-term future after the World Cup.

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What has Robin Bairner said about Messi?

Bairner understands there is confidence in France that Messi will remain with PSG beyond the end of the campaign despite attracting admirers.

The journalist believes Christophe Galtier’s side hold the edge over Inter Miami and Barcelona.

Bairner told GIVEMESPORT: “Inter Miami are certainly a threat, but I think the sense in France is that PSG are still the frontrunners for this.

“That is also the sense in Spain. Those reporting in Sport, prior to The Athletic, are suggesting that PSG have actually got quite a big advantage over both Inter Miami and Barcelona, who also want him back, in this pursuit of keeping Messi and having him at the club next year.”

Would Messi’s exit come as a huge blow to PSG?

There is no doubt that Messi is approaching the final years of his career, but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has shown little sign of his impressive talent waning.

He is already into double figures for goals and assists this season and, as a result, the interest he has garnered should not come as a surprise.

Galtier, who succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in the PSG dugout during the summer, has an abundance of big names at his disposal and must do everything he can to keep Messi on board.

The South American has scored close to 700 goals during his club career and his loss would certainly be his new club’s gain if he were to move on from the Parc des Princes.

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