- 19 hours ago
Lionel Messi's PSG renewal: the latest
Lionel Messi’s stay at Paris Saint-Germain is set to extend as he will agree to a new deal that will keep him at the Parc des Princes beyond this campaign.
The Argentine’s contract runs out at the end of the season and there is interest, but no firm offer from other clubs with regards to a future transfer.
Former club Barcelona and Major League Soccer side Inter Miami have shown interest but so far, it is PSG who have moved fastest to get the deal sorted.
READ: Laporta on Messi's Barcelona return: "We'll see"
Now, according to reports, PSG are close to agreeing a deal agreed with Messi and it could be agreed in January, when the World Cup-winning captain returns to training.
Messi to agree PSG stay
Messi will return to Paris after his break and World Cup celebrations in January and the club will begin formal negotiations then, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Their idea is to get him to agree a one-year deal with an option for a further year, hoping to keep him at the club until 2025, when Messi will be 37.
READ: Lionel Messi agrees to stay at PSG
PSG have always been positive of getting Messi to stay at the club despite interest from others but are yet to hold formal talks, however, they think it’ll work in their favour.
Importantly, Messi also wishes to stay at PSG as he is happy and settled in Paris, with his form this season reflecting that as he got better after a tough first season in the French capital.
🤝 Best assist-to-goalscorer combinations in Ligue 1 this season:
🥇 Lionel Messi ➡️ Kylian Mbappe - 6 goals
🥈 Lionel Messi ➡️ Neymar - 4 goals pic.twitter.com/diQk4jXZ8J— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 24, 2022
This will be a blow to Barcelona, who were hoping to sign the Argentine after he left on a sour note back in 2021, with club President Joan Laporta and manager Xavi admitting they were keen to bring Messi back to the Camp Nou.
So far this season, Messi has scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 19 appearances this season and he will be hoping to continue that in the second half of the campaign.