With Lionel Messi seeming increasingly set to leave Parc des Princes this summer, teams have started to begin competing for his services.
Messi has decided to quit PSG this summer, according to French outlet Foot Mercato (via PSG Talk). According to reports, Messi and his family have decided to leave the French city. They are unlikely to change their views. Their preferred club is thought to be Barcelona and the player himself decided it after Barcelona contacted him.
The Blaugrana fans at Camp Nou stopped chanting club songs in the 10th minute for the fourth game in a row when their team faced Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Instead, the 90,000 Barcelona fans started chanting Lionel Messi’s name, a chorus demanding the Argentine’s return to Catalunya.
Many former and current players including club officials have also spoken of their desire to see Messi back at Barcelona. But Barcelona isn’t the only club fighting for Messi’s signature. The player is still prioritizing staying in Europe, which means the £400 million offer from Al Hilal and an offer from David Beckham’s Inter Milan won’t be accepted.
Which clubs can Messi go to?
Very few clubs in Europe can afford Lionel Messi’s huge salary demands, with only Barcelona being the club where he would accept reduced wages.
A move to Manchester City could be perfect. Pep Guardiola was arguably the one who made Messi a beast at Barcelona. He would most definitely like to reunite with his old boss. And with the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva likely, he could fit in perfectly as an interior midfielder. And City would have no problems affording his salary. But City is already in perfect condition and fighting for all the trophies.
Manchester United is another Premier League option. Erik Ten Haag already has so much attacking talent. But Messi’s creativity and ability to unlock defenses could further help them. Still sportingly, United needs a striker like Kane or Osimhein. If Manchester United get bought under new management, then we can see the Argentine be their new statement signing.
Chelsea is in shambles right now. A lot of stars are expected to leave the club in the summer and another huge intake of players will happen. Messi could finally be their new marquee signing. He could also join fellow PSG teammate Neymar there. Though the signing doesn’t really make much sense, Chelsea would be hugely benefited. Chelsea can also offer him a huge salary with no hassles.
Bayern Munich is another club that has been struggling. There are several reasons for their bad run, but a lack of offensive quality hasn’t helped. While individual solutions aren’t always effective, incorporating Messi into Tuchel’s 3-4-3 might be beneficial. But the Bavarians may not give him huge wages as they were previously hesitant to offer Haaland the same and also considering Messi’s age.
Is Lionel Messi coming back to Barca?
Lionel Messi, left Barcelona as the team’s all-time leading goalscorer and appearances leader in 2021 while under Laporta’s watch. He will become a free agent on June 30 and will be able to leave Paris Saint-Germain without any restrictions.
Barcelona is now prepared to implement a squad-wide salary cut to permit the return of their great. The reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano disclosed that the Catalan giants are prepared to make compromises. This is in order to bring their best player back to Camp Nou. Barcelona is rumored to be ready to offer a deal directly to Messi’s camp in the following days.
Barcelona leads the La Liga standings by 11 points after 29 games, and despite the club’s current struggles, they appear poised to claim their first league title since 2018–19.
Do you think that Messi could be back in the red and blue Jersey of Barcelona? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
