Lionel Messi has asked Al-Hilal to delay his transfer until 2024, which could facilitate a return to ... [+]
Lionel Messi has asked Al-Hilal to delay his transfer to the Saudi club until 2024, according to GOAL, which could facilitate a potential return to FC Barcelona.
On Sunday, Relevo reported that a Saudi delegation had traveled to meet the Messi camp after Paris Saint-Germain confirmed his departure when his contract expires on June 30.
GOAL reports that the Messis held a meeting with them on Monday, and told the Saudis they wish to postpone a move until 2024. According to SPORT, Al-Hilal hoped to reveal Messi was joining them on June 6.
The request to put off the transfer by a year therefore took the Saudi Pro League giants by surprise, and they explained to the Messi clan that their offer in 2024 won't be the same as the current €500 million ($541 million) a year currently on the table, which would have him easily top Forbes list of the World's Highest-Paid athletes once more.
The development, if true, increases the possibility of Messi returning to Barca and comes after the Catalans' viability plan proving to La Liga they can make the coup work got the green light from La Liga according to Relevo.
Shortly after that news came, the 35-year-old's father and agent Jorge Messi was captured meeting Barca president Joan Laporta at his home in a clip tweeted by Toni Juanmarti.
Following the meeting, Jorge Messi revealed that he and his son "would love" to return to FC Barcelona and indicated that he trusts in the deal now being able to happen after previously being reported by Gerard Romero as nervous because of delays in the viability being approved.
If Messi's alleged request to Al-Hilal occurred, it is interesting that it communicates only possibly staying at Barca for a single year when the plan has been to offer him two seasons paying €25 million ($27 million) each.
Next term, the Blaugrana will hold their home games at the Montjuic Stadium. By moving on to Al-Hilal after 2023/2024, however, Messi would not play in the newly-renovated Spotify Camp Nou which Laporta has stated should be ready by the end of next year.