


FC Barcelona are not an option for Lionel Messi as per his next club, according to the Catalan ... [+]
A potential return to FC Barcelona is not being considered as an option by Lionel Messi, whose decision on his next career move is "imminent" according to SPORT.
The Argentine is a free agent from June 30 onwards when his two-year Paris Saint Germain contract expires and has several offers on the table.
The biggest comes from Saudi Arabia, where he has accepted a €350 million ($373 million) a year from Al-Hilal along with former Barca teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets according to El Chiringuito.
Jorge Messi has denied this in an official statement and outlined that they will make a decision after the Ligue 1 season finishes on Sunday, which supports SPORT's claim that they will resolve their future in the coming days.
Meanwhile, at El Nacional and Ole, they have reported on interest from the Premier
Barca are obviously trying to make Messi their player once more too, but because of their struggles putting together a viability plan which entails having to impose salary cuts and force players sales, they are not considered a "real option" by the player and his camp while having failed to make a formal offer.
This could see Messi slip through the hands of president Joan Laporta once more after the seven-time Ballon d'Or holder walked to PSG on a free transfer in 2021 just a few months after he won the election when Laporta promised to renew him.
It would also come as a great disappointment to Barca fans, who have been regularly cheering Messi's name in the 10th minute during home games at Camp Nou.
From a financial perspective, Barca would also stand to miss out on €230 million ($245.6 million) a year Messi's mere presence would bring in - as projected by a secret internal report SPORT obtained earlier this month.
Furthermore, Barca were also hoping that Messi's return would help offset predicted losses of around €90 million ($96 million), which will be incurred when they temporarily move to Montjuic Stadium in 2023/2024 as Camp Nou is being renovated.