Lionel Messi: PSG make final transfer decision as Barcelona scramble for new contract

Lionel Messi: New Barcelona president vows to keep star

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Paris Saint-Germain have decided to call off their pursuit of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi, according to reports. The Argentina international is currently a free agent after his contract expired on July 1. However, while that’s the case, the La Liga giants are hopeful of keeping their prized asset.

Barcelona saw Messi shine last season.

Though the club experienced a difficult campaign under Ronald Koeman, failing to win either La Liga or the Champions League, the Argentina international still operated at his brilliant best.

He scored 38 goals across 47 matches last time and, since then, has fired his country to Copa America glory.

With Messi currently on the market, talk of a move to PSG has been rife.

But French newspaper Le Parisien now claim the Ligue 1 titans have decided to drop their interest entirely, believing a deal now isn’t possible.

PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi has long dreamed of deploying Messi alongside both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in his attack, especially with the club yet to win the Champions League.

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But they now think he’ll stay at Barcelona, despite their difficult financial situation.

The Catalan side are currently unable to register new players and need to get stars off the wage bill if they’re to ensure Messi signs a new deal.

Antoine Griezmann, as things stand, looks likely to be sold.

Barcelona thought they were onto a winner when they signed the France international from Atletico Madrid back in the summer transfer window of 2019, paying £107million for him.

Yet while Griezmann scored a modest 20 goals last term, he’s still failed to live up to expectations.

PSG, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus have all been linked with a move for the 30-year-old amid all the speculation.

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But his preference would be to return to Atletico Madrid, the club where he enjoyed the best years of his career with.

And Griezmann isn’t the only player primed to leave Barcelona, with several others also facing the chop.

Everton have today emerged as suitors for Clement Lenglet, with Barcelona open to cutting the Frenchman loose.

Samuel Umtiti will be allowed to leave, having never really lived up to expectations following his arrival from Lyon back in 2016.

Barcelona want to get Philippe Coutinho off the books, too, especially given how they’d have to fork out more money to Liverpool if he plays again.

And an exit for Martin Braithwaite is in the offing, despite the Denmark international enjoying a positive Euro 2020 campaign.

Speaking to Spanish media, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed contract talks with Messi are ‘on the right track’ – and they’re looking for a solution that suits all parties.

“We want him to stay and Leo wants to stay,” he said.

“Everything is on the right track, what’s left to sort out is the issue of fair play and we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties.

“I’d like to be able to announce that he is staying but at the moment I cannot do that, because we are in the process of looking for the best solution for both parties.”

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman stated at the end of last season that he wanted Messi to stay.

“We hope he will not leave because he is still the best player in the world and he has shown today,” Koeman told Marca.

“It is impossible to play without him.

“He has already scored 30 goals this season, which have given the team a lot of points.

“It is a question for Leo to decide.

“For me and for the team, we hope he stays because if don’t have him, we have doubts about who will score so many goals.”

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