There are so many Messi-related rumours flooding across social media these days.
Let us extract the main things out of them.
Where could Messi end up in summer?
Barcelona. Both the club and the player are making steps towards each other to make the highly-anticipated reunion possible.
Paris Saint-Germain. This option is not completely ruled out yet, although more and more reporters - including those in France - insist that this is Messi's final season with PSG.
Inter Miami. Both Messi and Sergio Busquets are said to be seriously considering the option, although the former reportedly would like to stay in Europe for now.
Al Hilal. The Saudi Arabian giants have already offered Leo a salary which is twice more than Cristiano Ronaldo's at Al Nassr – the Argentine reportedly rejected the bid. They seem really serious in their intentions to land the 35-year-old, though.
Inter Milan. One journalist was told by an unnamed source that the Nerrazurri plan to submit a surprise offer for Messi. Argentina legend Javier Zanetti as the club's vice-president could help.
Manchester City. Some fans have spotted that Messi started following the Citizens on Instagram. Pep Guardiola's side were quite close to signing Leo in 2020 and 2021.
What are Barca offering Messi?
According to reliable Veronica Brunati, this is going to be Blaugrana's first offer for Messi:
- a one-year contract with the option of extending it for one extra year;
- a salary of €10m net per year (the same as Robert Lewandowski's);
- a percentage of the club's sponsorship revenue;
- a tribute match at a filled (and renovated) Camp Nou.
The offer could be submitted this or next week already.
Does Xavi want Messi on his team?
The Barca boss has made it clear on several occasions already.
Messi is expected to play an important role in Xavi's four-midfielder system. Quite possibly, it would mean less game time for Busquets.
What do Barca need to register Messi in La Liga?
The club need to generate some sufficient income in the summer transfer window – selling Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres would help a lot.
They also have to make sure they can fit Messi's wages into the salary cap. For this, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are expected to take significant pay cuts while some of Barca's loanees (Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, Sergino Dest) will leave permanently.
Shay Lugassi reports that there is an Arab sponsor that is actually ready to finance Messi's Barca comeback; if this happens, Barcelona won't need to shift their wage budget a lot to register Leo.
But perhaps the most important thing is to convince Javier Tebas that Messi's contract is valid – this task seems even more complicated than the ones above.
What is the probability of Messi's Barca comeback?
Top-tier source Gerard Romero assesses it at 70 per cent.
We would lower the expectations a bit, saying it stands at about 55 per cent. Barcelona have lots to do before the Argentine's comeback becomes possible.
