Barcelona make REQUEST to complete Messi mega-transfer

Tom Weber

• 7 Apr 2023 13:28 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are set to meet with LaLiga executives to ascertain the feasibility of a Messi transfer and to get permission to sign the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Lionel Messi has long since been linked with a return to Barcelona. PSG's continued underperformance in the Champions League paired with the Qatari owners not making a contract extension a priority has given new life to these rumours - and a potential move is becoming ever more likely.

Indeed, Barcelona higher-ups have made no secret of their intention to bring the out-of-contract megastar back to the Camp Nou in the summer. As for the man himself, having recently turned down a gigantic €400 million-per-year offer from Saudi Arabian behemoth Al-Hilal, Messi appears keen to return to his old stomping ground.

Now, SPORT are reporting that the Blaugrana are getting ready to take the first concrete steps to facilitate a move.

READ: Man Utd target ‘better than Haaland’ – but Ten Hag given Messi warning

Can Barcelona afford Messi?

The big question on everyone's lips regarding any potential Barcelona transfer these days is whether they can actually afford the player in question. The Catalans have been on open collision course with LaLiga in recent times due to the clubs' unsustainable financial activities and alleged match-fixing, going so far as to accuse the league's president, Javier Tebas, of having an agenda and leading a 'smear campaign.'

Nevertheless, SPORT claim that Barcelona will cooperate with the league to make Messi's comeback a possibility.

"Barça's top sports executives," writes the Spanish outlet, "will meet next week with LaLiga chiefs to assess whether it is possible to sign Leo Messi and enrol him in next season's project. This is key to allowing definitively for the return of the Argentine star and a necessary step for final negotiations..."

READ: ‘Everything points’ to Barcelona landing €70m star after Clasico catastrophe

"The club," adds SPORT, "have thoroughly worked on a reduction in spending, with salary cuts and some transfers among other planned actions. They expect LaLiga to give the go-ahead in negotiations that will take time, but which could take a decisive step next week."

The Blaugrana are seeking permission to make a deal possible: "Barça wants to know if they could support Leo Messi's contract with the certainty that LaLiga would approve the operation."