A recent report from MARCA has offered a comprehensive update on Barcelona’s pursuit of Lionel Messi, highlighting various factors that may come into play as the club look to bring the player back to Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Messi is not only important from a sporting perspective but also from a financial perspective.
Although the club have reportedly reached an agreement with two banking giants over funding for the Espai Barça project, there is a lot of distrust among the partners due to the ongoing Negreira case.
The arrival of Messi, though, could rebuild that trust and boost investors’ confidence in the club, as they look to begin the construction work on the Espai Barça project from September.
It must be noted that vice-president Rafa Yuste publicly spoke about contacts with Messi just before the funding for the Espai Barça project was being closed.
Meanwhile, the report states that Barcelona will soon present an economic viability plan to La Liga to assess whether re-signing Messi would be possible. Given their Financial Fair Play problems, it is crucial for the Catalans to clear the matter with the league.
If La Liga gives the green light, it will be a major boost for the club in their bid to complete the transfer.
There is no doubt that Messi has to lower his salary at Camp Nou, which will take a lot in the midst of a renewal offer from PSG coupled with a few lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia.
Once there is a clearance from La Liga club president Joan Laporta will play his final card, which is to meet the player and sort out any disagreements.
Messi and Laporta did not end on good terms, with the player believing that the club could have done much more to keep him at the club. Laporta seeks to eke out any tension by meeting the player in person, provided the entire operation goes smoothly.
The Catalans have taken other notable steps which could help them to bring back the club captain.
Manager Xavi Hernandez has been in constant dialogue with the 35-year-old icon. Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets, a very close friend of Messi, is being offered a one-year contract. The pressure on Jordi Alba to leave is also being reduced. The retirement of Gerard Pique also plays a part as the former defender’s relationship with Messi had strained.
There is no formal approach made yet but that could be made by Laporta once La Liga says ‘yes’ to the viability plan.
It is too early to predict the future of Lionel Messi. But Barcelona have enough reasons to believe that they can pull out this move and seal the fabled return of their prodigal son this coming summer.
