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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Barcelona exploring audacious Lionel Messi transfer loophole involving Inter Miami

Barcelona are trying to work out a way to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer - and could even attempt to strike a remarkable deal with David Beckham's MLS franchise, Inter Miami.

Messi, 35, has spent the last two years in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain but is poised to leave the French champions when his contract expires next month.

Understandably, a whole host of clubs would be keen on acquiring the services of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner should he come back on the market. Crucially, interest from Barcelona, who were unable to tie Messi down to a new deal back in 2021 due to significant financial issues, has not waned since his initial departure.

Fresh off winning LaLiga under Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona have made re-signing Messi their top priority ahead of the upcoming transfer window. And it appears as though the Spanish giants are willing to get creative in order to bring Messi back home.

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Barcelona have been in talks with Inter Miami: one of the sides who are also actively courting Messi. The report goes on to outline that the two clubs are in discussions over an agreement that would see Messi join Inter this summer and immediately head to Barcelona on loan. The veteran would then head to Miami after 18 months to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career in the MLS.

It is said that the agreement would also enable Messi to continue playing at an elite level ahead of the 2024 Copa America, which would potentially be the final tournament of his international career.

Join the debate! Who do you think Messi will be playing for next season? Let us know here.

Xavi Hernandez wants to bring Messi back to Barcelona (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Although Messi's preferred choice is believed to be a return to Barcelona, it remains to be seen if the Nou Camp outfit have the ability to accommodate such a deal given the club's precarious financial situation.

Speculation over Messi's future has ramped up significantly in recent weeks. Mirror Football exclusively revealed back in April that there was that Messi would not be extending his stay at PSG and that he would instead be moving on in the summer transfer window.

The veteran forward has been heavily linked with a lucrative move to the Middle East - just like Cristiano Ronaldo last summer. It was claimed earlier this week that Messi has decided to accept the biggest contract offer in football history to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.

However, it remains to be seen if there is any substance to those reports. As well as interest from the Middle East and the MLS, it has been claimed that Messi also has suitors in the Premier League. He was heavily linked with Chelsea before joining PSG back in the summer of 2021.

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