Messi closer to Barcelona return now than in December, club yet to make official offer – Romano

Leading transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (via Caught Offside) has claimed that Lionel Messi is closer to a return to Barcelona now than he was in December last year. The Catalans are yet to make an official offer for the Argentine, but the situation is wide open.

Messi will become a free agent at the end of the season when his contract with PSG will expire. Back in December, right after the World Cup in Qatar, it appeared that the Argentina captain would remain in Paris for at least one more year, with reports of a verbal agreement doing the rounds.

However, there has been a drastic shift in the situation since, with Messi no longer understood to be fully committed to the idea of renewing with PSG.

Recent reports have gone as far as suggesting that the 35-year-old’s happiness is at Barcelona and he would do everything in his power to move back to his old stomping grounds.

Romano, providing an update on the matter, has stated that things are much more open now than they were back in December and a return to Barcelona appears closer for Messi.

“Barcelona feel they are in the race to sign Messi,” Romano said. “There is still no official proposal from the club – a lot will depend on Messi’s relationship with Laporta, as well as how Barcelona can comply with Financial Fair Play rules.”

Romano added that PSG have tabled a contract offer for Messi and that remains very much valid as they insist on renewing his deal.

“But for sure, Barcelona are there, while PSG’s proposal remains valid and they are still insisting to extend Messi’s contract. The situation is now open, way more than it was in December when Messi was close to extending his contract with PSG.”

Barcelona players, manager Xavi and high-ranking officials like vice-president Rafa Yuste are starting to address openly the possible return of Messi which is an indicator that the club believe in the chances of the operation going through.

Should the Catalans be successful in re-signing their former captain, the plan is for Barcelona to hand him the #10 shirt back.