Messi expected to make final decision in 48 hours, Al-Hilal making one final push

With Barcelona’s feasibility plan still stuck on the La Liga conveyer belt of diplomacy, the club have been unable to move forward with their signings for the 2023 summer transfer window.

The Catalans have a list of targets they want to sign, some of them with a rather long line of competitors. This list is topped by none other than Lionel Messi.

The Argentine has already played his final game for PSG, and will be leaving Paris in search of a new venture soon. While he hopes to sign for Barcelona, their domestic battle with La Liga has delayed the operation to no end.

Messi, meanwhile, does not want to wait around for too long, as was the case two seasons ago, when he left Barcelona on a free transfer despite agreeing to a contract extension.

He will make a final decision on his future in the next 48 hours, according to a report by Toni Juanmarti (h/t Reshad Rahman). Al-Hilal are making one final push to convince Messi, who had previously reportedly forgotten about their offer.

Inter Miami are also still in the race for Leo, and they are confident about their offer, as the Messi family seems eager to settle in Miami for the foreseeable future.

Two Premier League clubs in the form of Newcastle United and Chelsea are also in the running for his signature, as was reported yesterday, but it seems they are quite low on the priority scale for the 35-year-old.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are doing their best to pressure and convince Messi. Xavi has opened up about his return multiple times, including in the pre-game press conference leading up to Celta Vigo vs Barcelona.

“The priorities are very clear. I would really like Messi to return, I have spoken with him, and I have already said that it depends on him. From here, apart from Leo, the other priority is a pivot. That would be the ideal scenario.”

“I’m not responsible for the financial issue. I only know that Messi would help us a lot in terms of football,” he added.