ALMOST A DONE DEAL: Messi close to joining Inter Miami

Carlo Garganese

• 6 Jun 2023 11:25 BST
• 3 min read

Inter Miami are very close to completing the free transfer signing of Lionel Messi, according to the Argentine media.

Respected Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati confirmed a story from Barcelona-based reporter Sebastian Quadrelli that the MLS-side have almost tied up a deal.

Brunati reports that in the last few hours Inter Miami have improved their proposal to Messi and a deal is very close.

Lionel Messi at PSG: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022-23

She adds that at Inter Miami they are very optimistic of completing the transfer imminently.

Quadrelli had earlier reported that the chances of Messi joining Barcelona were very slim and that relations between the two parties have still not fully healed following their acrimonious separation two years ago.

The journalist added that Al Hilal have fallen away in recent hours in their bid to sign Messi.

Inter Miami, Al Hilal and Barcelona are in a three-horse race to sign Messi on a free transfer.

Messi is certain to leave PSG at the end of the month when his contract expires.

A return to Barcelona is believed to be Messi’s preference but for financial reasons a deal is very difficult.

Jorge Messi met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday to discuss a potential return, though no offer was made.

For the transfer to go through, La Liga need to approve Barcelona’s so-called ‘Viability Plan’ but the Blaugrana then have to execute it by raising cash through the sale of some big players such as Ansu Fati and Raphinha.

This is unlikely to happen anytime soon as Jorge Messi admitted on Tuesday.

Messi to Barcelona not likely

"I don't think it will happen. A lot of things have to happen," Jorge Messi is quoted as saying.

The best financial offer is from Saudi Arabia, as it is reported that Al-Hilal have offered Messi a contract in the region of €400-600 million a year.

But according to Brunati and Quadrelli it is Inter Miami who are now the favourites to complete what has become one of the transfer sagas of the summer.