Barcelona could lose talisman, Lionel Messi, in the summer as PSG remained confident of bringing him to the club on a free transfer after telling club stores to be braced for the announcement.
The Paris club is growing increasingly confident of signing Messi for free since he is yet to sign a contract extension with Barcelona. It was gathered that the Ligue 1 giant has told their stores around the French capital to brace themselves for an influx of business based around shirt sales for the Argentina star.
After two decades with the Catalan club, Messi has publicly made it known that he is unhappy, prompting him to tender transfer request.
He couldn’t leave last summer due to legal obligations and he didn’t want to sue the club he loves.
Futballnews gatherd from officials close to Barcelona that Messi will need to take a pay cut if he is to remain at the club. Payment is obviously not Messi’s problem but their lack of competitiveness.
Barcelona currently lies 10th in La Liga, which is an unusual spot for them in the league as a top European club. Messi is likely to leave this time around.
Why PSG will have no problem convincing Messi to join them from Barcelona
Although Manchester City is also interested in the six-time world footballer of the year, which could be a reunion between him and his former coach, Pep Guardiola, the Parisians would have no trouble fitting the 33-year-old into their superstar team.
This makes them seem confident of winning the race for Messi. Thus, they have briefed their marketing department, who also briefed shops around the capital to prepare for a rush of trade when the deal is announced.
According to reports, PSG has also told partner stores licenced to sell their official goods to brace themselves for a flood of interest ahead of a blockbuster deal.
Messi will be free to negotiate with another team on January 1, which is just two weeks away. This development could suggest that an agreement is already in place.
Although PSG is yet to reveal to the retailers which number they expect Messi to wear. The Argentine wears the number 10 jersey at Barcelona, which is now in possession of his former teammate, Neymar, who has been his cheerleader.
So, talking to Neymar to switch the number with Messi won’t be an issue as the Brazilian reportedly wanted him to join the French club.
If Messi joins PSG, it would be a statement of huge intent by the French club. This could increase the pace of negotiation for contract extension talks concerning Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. The contracts of the duo expire in June 2022.
PSG on the other hand has its own struggle. Presently, they lie third on the Ligue 1 table and they had to secure Champions League knockout ticket on the final matchday.
Anyways, before any moves can be made, Messi and Neymar will play against each other for another time as PSG has been paired against Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16.
Football lovers can’t wait to see what form Messi especially will be in by then. There would have been a new Barca president, who might convince the Argentine to sign a new deal.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed to see what pans out from this unpredictable future.
