Report: New details from Messi’s Barcelona return as PSG plan new season excluding him

French news outlet Le Parisien has dropped a bombshell, suggesting Paris Saint-Germain are preparing for the new season without their star man Lionel Messi.

As per the report, Messi’s father had asked for an increased salary for the Argentine, owing to the player’s success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But PSG rejected the demands. The player’s environment suggests Messi’s decision will not be motivated by money.

PSG initially wanted to offer him the same terms as his current contract, but due to increased salary demands, his renewal has been put on a halt for now.

Messi interested in Barcelona return

Messi has made it clear that he will choose his next destination on the virtue of the sporting project offered. To that end, the 35-year-old has appeared quite keen on learning about the Barcelona project. He constantly keeps in touch with Xavi Hernandez as well as some of the first-team players.

In a recent presser, coach Xavi has reacted to the Argentine having dinner with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

“Alba and Busquets having dinner with Messi? I went for dessert later… No, they have not told me anything about Messi,” he joked, remaining coy about links with Messi.

“Coaching Messi? These are hypotheses. We are focused on La Liga, nothing else. I like to talk about Leo, we have a very good relationship, but right now, it’s time for Rayo,” he added, ahead of the Rayo Vallecano game.

Barcelona have reportedly prioritised Messi’s return for the coming summer, knowing the Argentine’s addition to the team can be the final piece in the jigsaw, as the club look to restore their lost glory in the coming years.

The player himself has a positive outlook on the current team. He rates Pedri quite highly and wants a reunion with Busquets and Alba. He also has a good relationship with other stars such as Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo.

In addition, Messi has reportedly enrolled his children in the same school his children had studied in Barcelona. It came shortly after he withdrew enrollment from their school in Paris.

Meanwhile, a report from Daily Mirror claims PSG are ready to let go of Messi, as the club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to make them more sustainable and reliant on young French talents.

It appears everything is falling into place, as Barcelona look to seal the return of their prodigal son.

The catch: La Liga will have final say in the transfer

Despite all the positives, Barcelona still have a long way to go before they can facilitate the return of Lionel Messi.

The club are facing economic headwinds in light of the strict Financial Fair Play regulations put in place by La Liga. The league has already advised the club to reduce €200 million from their salary bill in order to avoid FFP sanctions.

Finding suitors for every one of Barça’s unwanted stars could be a real challenge, especially considering the current state of the transfer market. Therefore, the club must rely on La Liga to provide the green light, before they can pursue Messi.

Barcelona have sent their financial feasibility plan to La Liga earlier this month. Once the plan gets approved by La Liga, the club can carry forward their operation and put forth an official proposal on the table.

However, the process might take time as La Liga look to assign their financial auditors to verify the club’s feasibility plan. Even with the approval, the club must act on it efficiently, if they are to succeed in the bid to sign the Argentine this coming summer.