(Author: Barkha Roy)
Lionel Messi is refusing to reduce his financial demands in order to remain at Paris Saint-Germain, as contract negotiations have become more complicated. PSG are trying to persuade the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to renew his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.
According to Goal, Messi will not accept a pay cut as the Ligue 1 club struggles to meet Financial Fair Play requirements while keeping the Argentine. To match or increase Messi’s salary this season, PSG would have to cut their payroll by almost 30% or risk losing the 35-year-old striker for free in the next window.
Messi wants to stay at PSG beyond the 2022/23 season, but Barcelona are determined to outbid Al Hilal and Inter Miami for the Argentine star.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have confirmed that they have held talks with Lionel Messi about bringing him back to the club when his contract with PSG expires in June, according to ESPN.
Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste confirmed on Friday that the club is considering re-signing Messi, who left for PSG in 2021.
Barcelona must cut more than 150 million euros from their annual spending, or raise money through transfers to comply with LaLiga’s economic regulations and be able to sign players and register contract renewals.
Sports Brief previously reported that the battle to sign Lionel Messi in this window promises to be intense. Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season, and he will become the most coveted free agent in the world.
PSG are willing to break the bank to renew Messi’s contract, after realizing how Barcelona have increased their efforts to sign him, and are willing to offer him more money and a longer contract than previously suggested.
Messi will have other suitors who can pay him the salary he still wants at the end of his career, as Inter Miami have been linked with him as a potential destination for next season, as well as Barcelona.
Messi will remain in the Paris team for the rest of the season, and plays this Sunday in Ligue 1 against Lyon. With a game in hand, PSG are six points clear of second-placed Marseille.