Barcelona planning short-term future with Messi’s arrival in mind – report

According to the latest update from Fernando Polo, Barcelona are planning the summer transfer window with Lionel Messi’s arrival as one of the priority operations.

While the move will only bring short-term gains with it, there is an emotional angle that cannot be neglected. Moreover, Messi’s return would be a massive boost to Barcelona’s market image and sales.

The operation will be far from simple from an economic standpoint. Yet, the hard work of Joan Laporta and Mateu Alemany over the past 18 months has gone a long way in stopping the bleeding, and the situation is no longer as grave.

Barcelona expects La Liga to give them the green light for the economic viability plan in the coming days. Given that they now have the required bandwidth to pioneer the PSG star’s move, it is a no-brainer.

While Messi’s arrival is one of the primary objectives, the Blaugranas also have the situations of Gavi and Ronald Araujo as their top priority. Once the green light arrives, the duo’s new contracts will be registered with La Liga at the earliest.

The World Cup winner has a flabbergasting offer on the table from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia but is willing to let go of the golden coffer for a fairytale end at Barcelona.

If he joins the club in June, reports suggest that his salary could be just €1 more than Robert Lewandowski to put him at the top of the order.

It remains to be seen if Messi’s signing leaves the club with enough room to sign a new pivot, for the operation will not come cheap.

Earlier today, reports suggested that the Catalans were eyeing Bruno Guimaraes whose transfer would cost not a dime less than €100 million. Their alternative target, Martin Zubimendi, is valued at €60 million as well.