Barcelona confident of closing Lionel Messi return deal

• PSG forward Lionel Messi is expected to leave the club in the upcoming summer transfer window
• Messi has received an offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal but has also been offered a return to his former club Barcelona
• The La Liga giants are hugely confident of signing the Argentine overcoming financial constraints

According to a report by 90min, Barcelona is ‘hugely confident’ that they will be able to announce the return of Argentina forward Lionel Messi shortly.

The 35-year-old is caught in a tug-of-war between former employers Barcelona and Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal, with his two-year contract at Paris Saint-Germain set to expire this summer.

Al Hilal are confident that they can persuade Messi to move to Saudi Arabia – he recently made an unauthorised trip to the country as part of his duties as an ambassador for the tourism board – but the player is thought to prefer a return to Catalonia, where he spent the first 21 years of his career after moving from Argentina.

Messi’s representatives, including his father, Jorge, have received a contract offer from Al Hilal valued at €400 million per year, making him the highest-paid footballer of all time.

READ: PSG suspends Lionel Messi over Saudi Arabia trip

Barcelona will not be able to match that financial package, but they are doing all possible to clear the financial decks and make room for Messi on their wage bill – he only left the club in 2021 because La Liga would not approve his new deal owing to the club’s financial difficulties.

President Joan Laporta is sure that the club will be able to balance the books, and Barcelona believes it will be able to announce Messi’s return soon.

Lionel Messi is in the final months of his contract with PSG and is expected to leave in the summer transfer window. His former club Barcelona is keen on sealing his return despite Al Hilal links. | PHOTO: GOAL |

READ: Pep Guardiola hopeful of Lionel Messi return to Barcelona

Earlier this week, an important piece of the puzzle fell into place as veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets announced his departure from Camp Nou at the end of the season. Busquets, who has won 32 major honours and made over 700 appearances for his beloved club, was one of Barcelona’s highest-paid players. His impending exit has sparked discussions about Lionel Messi’s potential return, with La Liga president, Javier Tebas, suggesting that Busquets’ departure marks the beginning of Messi’s possible comeback. However, Tebas also emphasized that there are still financial considerations and hurdles to overcome before such a reunion can happen.

In addition to Busquets, Barcelona is reportedly open to offers for promising young winger Ansu Fati. The club is also willing to entertain bids for Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres, all of whom command significant wages and may see their playing time reduced if Messi rejoins the team.

To make room for other long-term targets, Barcelona is likely to part ways with several other players. Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, available on a free transfer this summer, and Bernardo Silva are among the potential acquisitions Barcelona is eyeing as they reshape their squad.