PSG and Messi saga reaches final conclusion

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 25 Apr 2023 19:38 BST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain are now planning for next season without Lionel Messi.

The French club and the superstar have been in talks for some time over fresh terms but now it appears that he will be leaving the Ligue 1 side after a two-year spell.

PSG feel contract talks over a new deal have broken down because Messi wants more money - but the Argentine's camp denies that it’s anything to do with finances, reports Le Parisien.

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Contract talks had dragged out since the World Cup - and at one point it seemed like an agreement could be reached, but now it looks as though Messi will be exiting the Ligue 1 outfit.

A return to Barca

It comes after the news reported in 90min today that Barcelona are 'leaving no stone unturned' in their bid to re-sign their club legend.

Messi, who is arguably the club’s best-ever player, left the side after they were unable to pay his salary in a new deal.

There have been rumours ever since he left the Nou Camp that he would be making a return, but reports are that a deal may not to too straightforward.

90min revealed back in October that Barcelona were 'exploring' ways to bring Messi back. It is thought that direct contact with Messi's representatives is ongoing, and a decision may be in the coming days.

Messi’s deal at the Parce des Princes comes to an end in the summer. PSG do have an option to extend by a further year - but this can only be triggered with the 35-year-old's agreement.

So far, it seems that he is unwilling to greenlight this clause, meaning his future is up in the air.

It is thought that Messi's father, Jorge, has been in constant contact with Barca officials as well as president Joan Laporta, who is working hard to get the deal over the line.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said of the possible return: "Barca must take many financial measures to undertake Messi’s registration. They need lot of effort to make it happen.

"Today I don't see his signing as feasible. But there’s a lot of time left, Barca can still make moves to get Leo. We are still awaiting a feasibility plan from Barcelona. They need a big effort to make it happen.”