The die has allegedly already been cast: Lionel Messi has decided to transfer to PSG after receiving information from several countries.
According to consistent media reports from Spain, England and France, Lionel Messi, who is currently without a club, has decided to transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. Previously, a contract extension at his long-term club FC Barcelona had failed dramatically.
The team report that Messi will sign a two-season deal plus an option for one more. His net annual salary is said to be 40 million euros, which would make him the team’s best-paid player ahead of Neymar. With Kylian Mbappe there is another prominent striker in the squad.
Negotiations between Messi and PSG are already ongoing
The talks between the Messi camp around father Jorge and the PSG, which is massively supported by the state of Qatar, had already started on Thursday evening and were already well advanced. A meeting is to take place on Sunday at which an agreement could already be reached.
The journalist Juanfe Sanz from The beach bar, who is said to have a close relationship with PSG newcomer Sergio Ramos, reports that Messi is said to have spoken to several PSG players about his upcoming move.
The only other potential buyer is Manchester City with Messi’s ex-coach Pep Guardiola. He denied rumors of a possible signing on Friday, however: “We just spent 40 million on Jack Grealish. We paid 100 million pounds and we took 60 million from transfers. And he will wear the number 10.” Grealish moved from Aston Villa to City for the equivalent of around 118 million euros.
Mauricio Pochettino: Lionel Messi? “Always interesting”
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said at a press conference on Friday: “A player of his caliber is always interesting. The club are working on different options but we are focused on the Troyes game.” PSG will start the Ligue 1 season on Saturday evening (9 p.m.) with an away game against newly promoted ES Troyes AC.
Noisy The Athletic there was direct contact between Messi and his Argentinian compatriot Pochettino on Thursday evening. But the PSG coach denies that. “I didn’t speak to him,” he clarified and at the same time denied a possible connection with a possible transfer from Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid. Messi was named as an alternative for the French should he join Los Blancos.
Telefoot report that Messi will be wearing the number 19 shirt at PSG, which he wore at Barca before joining 10. At PSG, 10 belongs to Neymar. The two players won the Champions League together with Barca in 2015.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
