Barcelona let go of Lionel Messi due to their financial crunches and over the last few weeks, the speculations have grown in Paris that Messi is all set to leave PSG as well. The Argentine star is all set to complete his two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain and is not keen on renewing the contract, with a number of other players uninterested in staying at the club too.
The speculation now suggestions that Messi could be returning to Barcelona next summer, although it would be high expenditure for the Catalan club who are currently operating on a thin line as far as financial fair play is concerned. They are under immense pressure from La Liga to reduce their wage bill by nearly 300% and bringing in Messi will not help as well.
However, there is a solution to this as well. Barcelona, who are currently not even in a position to buy players as they will have to make some sales first, are planning to ship out plenty of players. One of the players who could be axed to accommodate the return of Messi is Raphinha, who is liked by Xavi Hernandez but might get baited out.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the situations of Barcelona winger Raphinha as well as the Catalans’ chief transfer target Lionel Messi. The La Liga leaders are working towards bringing back their former captain to the club two years after he was forced to leave due to financial circumstances. Given that Messi’s PSG contract expires on June 30, Barcelona can re-sign him for free.
Signed only last summer from Leeds United, the Brazilian international has done fairly well in his debut campaign in Catalonia. However, given the club’s need to raise cash, they are considering selling Raphinha reluctantly as they are aware he can fetch a good fee. Plenty of English clubs would not mind spending heavy to get hands on Raphinha.
As for Messi, Romano adds that the Argentine will not close the doors on a return to Barcelona until the last minute and hope to complete the move even if there is just a 1% chance. At the same time, he has a €400 million per year contract offer on the table from Al Hilal, who are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
