Barcelona VP confirms Lionel Messi transfer talks as PSG contract winds down

Barcelona have acknowledged they’re involved with Lionel Messi about bringing him again to the membership when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in June.

Vice president Rafa Yuste confirmed Friday that the membership are trying into the potential of re-signing Messi, who left for PSG in 2021, with coach Xavi Hernandez later including he hopes to see the Argentine again at Spotify Camp Nou.

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“I am still gutted he couldn’t continue here,” Yuste mentioned at a information convention. “Of course I would like him to come back, because of what he represents on a sporting, social and economic level.

“We are involved with [Messi’s camp], sure. Beautiful tales ought to have comfortable endings, and there’s a mutual love between the 2 events.”

Messi, 35, left two years ago after two decades in Catalonia because Barca could not afford to renew his contract. The financial side of any return this summer remains an obstacle.

Barca need to knock more than €150 million off 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.

“We nonetheless have two months to work laborious to current our income and sustainability plan to [LaLiga president Javier] Tebas,” Yuste added when asked whether bringing Messi back was really possible.

“I do not like to talk about Leo as a result of he’s a PSG participant, but when all of the circumstances are met, we’re open to the likelihood. [Barca] president [Joan Laporta] has been with Leo’s father, and there’s a good relationship.

“Of course, there is no plan to go on the attack because we don’t want PSG to see it like that. If it happens, it will be because destiny takes you back to where you have to go. If all the conditions come together and Leo comes back to Barcelona, it would be the perfect ending to a very happy story.”

Barca coach Xavi, who performed alongside Messi, mentioned it relies upon extra on what the Argentina ahead desires to do subsequent than cash, with a renewal at PSG and a transfer to Major League Soccer different prospects.

“There is the fair play issue, but more than anything it depends on Leo’s intentions and [if he wants] to come back,” he mentioned in a information convention forward of Saturday’s journey to Elche.

“A lot of conditions have to fall into place for it to happen. He’s won everything in the game, and it will depend on his happiness. If he wants to come back, if that’s his intention, we will speak about it.

“We are buddies, we communicate usually, nevertheless it’s not the second to speak about this, for the great of Leo, the membership or the squad. It’s a problem we’re dealing [with], however from that to [him returning] is a giant leap.

“I hope we see him come home. I’m the first person who would love to see the best player ever return. And it is normal that fans are excited about a ‘Last Dance’ like [happened with] Michael Jordan.”

PSG coach Christophe Galtier mentioned on Friday he’s attempting to focus solely on the season at hand somewhat than handle questions on Messi’s future.

“I know that Messi and the club [PSG] have been in negotiations for a while, but what Leo decides to do with his future is confidential and that is not for me to discuss,” Galtier mentioned. “I am not the person to make the decision and the club will decide about Messi’s future.”

Elsewhere, Xavi performed down the significance of feedback made by Ansu Fati’s father, Bori, this week, suggesting the participant ought to search for a brand new membership in the hunt for extra minutes.

Xavi mentioned that he understood Bori’s frustration however that he was involved solely about Ansu, who, he added, is “focused, training well and relaxed.”

He additionally touched on the controversy that has surfaced round Gavi whereas on Spain obligation. Reports claimed the midfielder’s perspective had triggered issues on and off the pitch.

“I suppose the problem is he’s a Barca player; if he was playing for another team, I guess [his attitude] would be a virtue,” he mentioned.

“He is one of the best midfielders in the world right now, no doubt. If he played in another team, he would be treated differently.

“I do not perceive how there generally is a marketing campaign towards a child aged 18 who has come by like he has and performs like he does. It surprises me. It does not matter the place he performs, he must be admired. I supposed it’s down to the rivalry.”

Barca return to LaLiga motion towards Elche this weekend with a 12-point lead on the high of the desk, though they’re lacking Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen by harm and Raphinha by suspension.