The latest news emerging that Barcelona megastar Lionel Messi is close to four PSG players has become additional fodder for the media to feed on.
The Ligue 1 titans with the extra-deep pockets are reportedly keen on signing the 33-year-old, who would be untethered contractually and could leave the Nou Camp as a free agent at the end of the current campaign and follow up on his earlier plans to quit the Catalan outfit back in the summer transfer window but was ultimately forced to reconsider his decision, albeit unwillingly.
It’s already common knowledge that Barcelona’s failure to win the Champions League in recent years has not gone down well with Messi, who feels the club haven’t done enough to land the coveted trophy.
Come January 1, the Barcelona talisman is free to negotiate a move to rival teams as the current imbroglio surrounding the Camp Nou with fresh presidential elections looming around the corner has not as yet presented the right situation to enter new contract negotiations with the Argentine.
Midweek, Neymar stoked up the prospect of playing alongside his former team-mate right after his team’s victorious Champions League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
And ESPN reports that PSG chief Leonardo is keen on signing Messi, while the renewal of contracts for their dynamic duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe remains their current priority.
It’s apparently been claimed that besides Neymar, Messi is also close to Angel Di Maria, Rafinha and Leandro Paredes, which does have its own special connotations.
PSG are hoping they can bring the Argentine to the Parc des Princes next summer as they look to win the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Neymar’s midweek comments have certainly have raised eyebrows, with the Brazilian saying on Wednesday night:
“What I want most of all is to play with Messi again, to be able to enjoy him once again on the pitch.
“He can play in my place, I have no problem with that!
“But I want to play with him next year, for sure. We have to do it next season.”
Neymar’s relationship with Messi obviously runs deep as the Brazilian had previously broken down in tears when talking about Messi, and the advice he was given by the GOAT upon moving to Barcelona in 2012.
“Honestly, it’s difficult, very difficult for me to talk about Messi, because it was very special for me at Barcelona, I say this to everybody,” he said.
“At the moment when I needed the most support, the best player in the world arrived and gave me a hand.
“He said: ‘Come here, I’m here to help you.’”