The topic of former Barcelona captain and PSG superstar Lionel Messi’s future is set to dominate the headlines over the coming weeks and months until a resolution on the matter is reached.
The Argentina captain sees his contract with PSG expire at the end of the season and is yet to sign a renewal.
Given that he is taking time on penning a new deal, it has given way to speculation that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner does not wish to continue in Paris and instead has his heart set on a return to Barcelona.
The Catalans, for their part, are now pushing to re-sign their former captain and believe that his return is a ‘real option’ for the summer.
But, PSG are now prepared to throw the towel just yet. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Ligue 1 champions are prepared to do everything in their power to extend Messi’s stay at Parc des Princes beyond this season.
Messi already has a contract offer on the table from PSG, with talks over a deal having been held immediately after the World Cup. At that point, an agreement looked imminent but things have changed drastically, with the Argentine still yet to sign the deal.
As per the report, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is not entirely convinced by the project in place at PSG, especially given that they have crashed out of the UEFA Champions League at the Round of 16 in back-to-back seasons despite boasting a world-class squad.
PSG, for their part, remain intent on keeping Messi at the club. To that end, they have reportedly informed his father and agent, Jorge Messi, that they are ready to offer more money and add more years to his contract to convince him to continue in France.
The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who owns PSG, wants to see Messi at the club beyond this season and has instructed the officials to make it happen at all costs.
Apart from the sporting success domestically, Messi has also brought in ten new major sponsors for PSG. And the owners do not want to lose him and wish to keep him at the club until his retirement.
However, Leo is yet to sign a new deal, a prospect that seemed only a matter of time back in December, but is now looking like a hurdle that PSG might be unable to cross.
