REVEALED: How Newcastle can help Barcelona land Messi

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 3 May 2023 18:45 BST
• 3 min read

Newcastle’s interest in Raphinha could prove key to Barcelona chances of re-signing Lionel Messi this summer.

Raphinha only joined Barca from Leeds last July, moving to the Camp Nou in a €58m deal – but if offloading him paves the way for Messi’s homecoming, the LaLiga champions elect may simply not be able to resist.

Newcastle are said to be prepared to shell out €80m for the 26-year-old Brazil international winger – almost twice his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €47.8m.

READ MORE: €70m Barcelona star ‘guaranteed’ to stay despite Messi rumours

According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, of Twitch channel Jijantes FC, Newcastle have already reached out to Barca with a ‘verbal offer’ for Raphinha.

A superb Premier League campaign has put the Magpies on the cusp of returning to the Champions League after 19 years away – so the next transfer window could see some particularly big names through the door at St. James’ Park.

Since their Saudi-backed takeover in the autumn of 2021, Newcastle have spent more than €300m (£270m) – although paying €80m for Raphinha would see the club break their transfer record (currently €70m for Alexander Isak).

READ MORE: 'More than useless' – Messi slammed as Barcelona and Saudis fight over suspended PSG star

Messi's PSG exit confirmed

The latest news comes less than a week after Barca boss Xavi confirmed the club had met with LaLiga about potentially bringing Messi back to the Camp Nou.

Barca’s well-documented financial difficulties could prove obstructive to registering the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner – who is believed to earn over €700,000 a week at PSG.

Messi – who was suspended by PSG on Tuesday for making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia – will leave the Ligue 1 giants when his contract expires at the end of June, having spent two seasons at the Parc des Princes.