As rumors surrounding Lionel Messi’s future beyond this season continue to swirl, Paris Saint-Germain have allegedly offered the former Barcelona captain a new deal to keep him at the club. Here, find out more details about it, and whether he intends to accept it.
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has opted out of his Barcelona contract in 2021 and has signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain with a further one-year option. Despite scoring just six league goals in his first season away from La Liga, the veteran seems to have already adapted to life in France.
He has already contributed to PSG’s success this season, scoring six goals and assisting eight more; he also scored four goals for the Argentine national team this month. He is committed to staying at least until the end of his current deal, and PSG’s new era under Christophe Galtier will focus on maximizing the player’s potential.
When his contract expires next summer, the striker is believed to have plenty of opportunities, including a possible return to the Camp Nou. The 35-year-old’s return to Barcelona has been much discussed, with the club hoping he would return when financial conditions improve.
Messi to stay at PSG despite Barcelona talk?
It has been reported that Barca president Joan Laporta is determined to re-sign the former captain given the controversial circumstances surrounding his departure from the club last year. The plan to get Messi back to the Camp Nou has already been formulated by the Catalan club.
However, for Leo to remain at the club beyond this season, PSG will not give up without a fight. As a result, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been handed a one-year contract extension by the Ligue 1 champions with an option for a further year, as claimed by journalist Manu Carreno of Cadena SER.
The proposed wages are comparable to his current salary, which is said to be around €30 million per year. Messi has been said to consider an offer from the Parisians, but is unlikely to make a final decision on his future before the end of the World Cup in Qatar.
The 35-year-old is set to step down and decide his club future when the tournament is over. He is therefore expected to discuss his future with the club next January, with six months remaining on his current contract. At that time, the former Blaugrana captain will have the opportunity to negotiate with teams outside of France.