Messi STILL dreaming of Barcelona return as Al-Hilal step up talks

Robin Bairner

• 4 Jun 2023 14:00 BST
• 3 min read

Confirmed

Lionel Messi is still hoping for an eleventh-hour contract offer that could see him return to Barcelona this summer, according to reports in Spain.

FootballTransfers can confirm, however, that Al-Hilal are in Paris to hold contract talks with the Argentine.

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Messi’s departure from PSG after two seasons at Parc des Princes was confirmed on Saturday before PSG’s shock 3-2 loss at home against Clermont – a match that the World Cup winner struggled to influence.

With a new chapter opening in his career, the 35-year-old is widely expected to sign for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, with the Gulf outfit even hoping to announce the deal as soon as Tuesday.

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Messi still want Barcelona deal

According to Relevo’s Matte Moretto, though, until everything is concluded, Messi will continue to “dream” of a return to Barcelona. This remains the player’s priority, especially because he wants to stay in Europe, but he appreciates that time is running out.

President Joan Laporta is said to be working hard to ensure that the Argentine can make a stunning return to Camp Nou, but it is a race that he is rapidly losing.

Messi is known to want his future settled quickly so that the summer does not turn into a soap opera, and Barca’s precarious financial position means that a deal will be tricky to conclude, especially in such quick order.

Al-Hilal are stepping up their push to sign Messi, with a delegation flying into Paris to hold discussions over a transfer this weekend. It is believe that they have “great optimism” that the deal can be concluded.

A final offer, equally, could come from MLS side Inter Miami. They have returned to the case to make a last-ditch bid to lure Messi to the US, although the eye-watering sums of money involved in the Saudi Pro League deal make it apparently inevitable that the Barcelona legend will be jetting there to play next season.