The return of Lionel Messi to FC Barcelona now seems certain. However, the Catalans still need to get themselves in order financially to complete the transfer. Time is running out as Barca don’t want to wait until the end of the transfer window to sign him.
Chronicle of an announced return. After two years at PSG, Lionel Messi is heading for a free transfer to his longtime club, FC Barcelona. La Pulga does not want to extend his contract at PSG, despite a much better second season than the first.
His statistics are more suitable, but not enough to satisfy the Parisian supporters. The latter treat Messi harshly, accused of lacking motivation in Paris and being the most expensive walker in the world. Unwilling to leave Europe in the short term, Lionel Messi left to join the only other European club to want him: FC Barcelona.
Barca want Messi before going to the United States
It remains to finalize the transfer to bring the prodigal son back to the fold. And that’s where the Catalans are going to have the most difficulty. Still financially constrained, Barça are working to offer a decent contract to their Argentine star while not exceeding La Liga’s salary cap. Things are going in the right direction for FC Barcelona, who have already set the date when Messi should arrive. The Catalan club is aiming for the fastest possible date after his contract ends to allow his player to prepare for the club.
According to the Catalan daily Sport, Barça absolutely wants Lionel Messi in its workforce before leaving on a pre-season tour in the United States. A meeting that will take place in the middle of summer, around mid-July. Optimism clearly reigns in Barcelona and Spain regarding this operation. Indeed, according to Sport, Xavi has already thought about Messi’s positioning in the Barcelona XI. The Argentinian would play playmaker behind a Lewandowski-Dembélé duo in a 4-4-2 diamond. If La Liga remains in a position of firmness vis-à-vis Barça, it is also impatiently awaiting the return of the sevenfold Golden Ball. She already uses the image of Messi in promotional spots and Javier Tebas recently admitted “being a fan of Messi” and hoping that “Barça can sign him quickly”. It’s up to Catalan accountants to work well now.
