BOMBSHELL: Messi demands STOP in transfer negotiations

Tom Weber

• Updated: 5 Jun 2023 20:50 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has urged his relatives to put off the contract negotiations with Al-Hilal until 2024, according to reports.

Paris Saint-Germain have already confirmed Lionel Messi's departure, but uncertainty about his next club persists. Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have made the Argentine an eye-watering offer that would see him earn in excess of €1 billion over two years, and the Saudi government is trying to lure some of his former teammates to the country, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Alexis Sanchez.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, however, has always favoured a return to the Camp Nou, but no official offer has as yet been made from the Blaugrana due to their dire financial situation. Without approval from LaLiga, they can not make a move for their club legend.

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Nevertheless, talks have been ongoing. Barcelona higher-ups have made no secret of their desire to bring Messi back. Moreover, Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and agent, met with Blaugrana president Joan Laporta earlier today to discuss a potential return, though again, no offer was made.

In light of the meeting, however, Messi reportedly came out with a bombshell.

Messi asks to stop talks

According to GOAL Espana, Messi's representatives met with a Saudi delegation after the meeting with Laporta, but the player asked his relatives to stop the negotiations with the Saudis. The report claims that Messi demanded the talks be postponed until 2024.

Moreover, GOAL goes on to say that the Saudis, who wanted to close the deal with Messi this week, were shocked at this news and made it clear that the current mega offer would not be available next year.

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If true, this is another clear indication that Messi wants to return to Barcelona, and maybe Laporta made Jorge Messi some assurances about Barcelona's financial viability plan that made the Argentine camp confident they can request a halt to the Saudi negotiations. If that is not the case, then Messi may favour a move to David Beckham's Inter Miami.