Messi gets Barcelona GUARANTEE over contract

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 5 Jun 2023 15:58 BST
• 4 min read

Lionel Messi’s future may just have taken a major twist, with the entourage of the World Cup winner having been finally given a crucial guarantee over a contract, according to respected journalist Gerard Romero.

Messi, who will be a free agent when his PSG contract expires at the end of June, is widely expected to move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, with an offer worth up to €1 billion on the table and Al-Hilal in position to make the announcement of his signing this week. FootballTransfers can confirm that talks have taken place between the two parties in Paris.

However, the dream of the Argentina star is to make a return to Camp Nou, where he has achieved legendary status and leads the club’s all-time charts in appearances, goals and assists.

MORE: Messi to Barcelona is ON - and wife Antonela played vital role

As such, Barcelona are fighting to conclude a deal and will continue to do so until the last moment. President Joan Laporta is said to be seeking every avenue to make a transfer possible.

Barca’s situation is complicated by the difficult financial position they find themselves in. Indeed, there remains uncertainty over whether they will be able to register new signings and perhaps even contract extensions with existing players such as Ousmane Dembele and Gavi.

Gerard Romero reports, however, that Messi’s camp have been given guarantees by the Catalan side and that a contract offer can now be sent to the player.

MORE: Messi and Ronaldo to be joined by SEVEN stars in Saudi Pro League – Romano

Barcelona have Messi hurdles to clear

Of course, there remain difficulties in completing a deal. The green light that Barcelona reportedly expected to get from LaLiga in May, which would have allowed them to sign players, has not yet been given.

There is also the issue of the advice Messi is getting. According to certain reports, the player’s father, Jorge, is pushing him to accept the massive deal on offer from the Saudi Pro League.

For Barcelona, though, this news could be the first step in a major transfer comeback that would see the greatest player of all-time finally re-join the club.