LIONEL MESSI
Who will Messi join? Barça, Miami, Saudi target has two more suitors
Already tipped for a move to one of Barcelona, MLS or Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi has now been approached by two unnamed European clubs over a free transfer.
As Barcelona work to take Lionel Messi back to the Camp Nou, the Argentine has received offers from two other major European clubs, AS understands.
Premier League move for Messi?
This newspaper has been unable to confirm the identity of the pair of suitors, but it is believed that they could be Premier League teams. There are a number of clubs in the English top flight with the resources to sign Messi.
Messi, who is to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June, is also being tipped for a move to Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami, or a club in Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old is currently employed by the Middle Eastern kingdom as a tourism ambassador.
Messi keen to rejoin Barcelona
Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, met Barça president Joan Laporta on Monday, and has told reporters that his son “wants to return” to the LaLiga club, where he spent 17 years in the first team between 2004 and 2021. However, such a deal is complicated by the Catalans’ financial difficulties.
Argentine wants Europe stay
The World Cup winner has consistently maintained that his preference would be to stay in Europe, and as one of the chief contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or, he would be far likelier to scoop the award for a record eighth time were he playing on the European stage.
However, there is still a strong possibility that Messi will be lured to either North America or Saudi Arabia, where there is a willingness to dig very deep to complete what would be a historic coup for either league.
