PSG open contact with Messi
PSG sporting director, Leonardo, has made two phone calls to Barcelona captain Lionel Messi's representatives.
Lionel Messi's burofax to Barcelona announcing his desire to leave the club immediately has not only caught those at Camp Nou off guard.
The clubs that could now potentially sign him were also taken aback by the Argentine forward’s decision, including PSG, whose sporting director, Leonardo, has contacted the player’s representatives to know first-hand what the situation is.
Among other queries, Leonardo wanted to learn more about the player's legal situation regarding the clause that binds him to Barcelona, the duration of the contract he is looking for and at what price. Having gathered this information, the PSG sporting director’s job was to pass it on the PSG’s financial directors.
Messi operation: PSG and City will need to consider FFP
Following that first point of contact, Leonardo called again to clarify some doubts, while making it clear that there were many factors to analyse before PSG would consider making an offer. Some of these factors are in relation to UEFA’s financial fair play rules – something that Manchester City will also be considering amid this much unexpected opportunity to land arguably the greatest player of all time.
The Parisian club is also aware that City has an advantage in this regard, although both clubs – who have already found themselves in hot water with UEFA for FFP breaches in the past – will have to look very closely at their finances before moving forward.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan, another one of the clubs identified as a possible destination for Messi, have almost given up on the operation because they are aware they cannot compete with these two financial powerhouses.
In any case, what seems certain is that Messi took the decision to send the burofax and severe his relationship with Barcelona without having any solid safety net that would give home a way out. PSG and City are now working to see if the operation is viable. That is why Leonardo has called the player’s representatives, who so far have remained silent publically.