Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has reaffirmed his desire to sign Lionel Messi this summer but Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are in pole position to sign the Argentine superstar.
Messi is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the current season, as reported by Mirror Football. Barcelona remain keen to sign the superstar, who celebrates his 36th birthday this summer, but his next destination remains unclear.
The Argentine superstar joined the French club as a free agent on a two-year contract in the summer of 2021. However, the club are no longer prioritising his contract renewal and are now planning on building their squad without Messi, who is out of contract.
In April, Barcelona transfer chiefs confirmed contact had been made with Messi regarding a potential return to the Camp Nou. There is also an offer on the table for the Argentine superstar from Saudi Arabia – although it is thought Messi would prefer to remain playing in Europe.
A move to the Middle East would see him follow the path of Cristiano Ronaldo and would signal the end of his involvement at the highest level of football. Messi’s preference is to return to Barca but the club’s financial situation may prevent them from facilitating a move.
Ronaldo completed a stunning move to Saudi club Al-Nassr in January and is earning in the region of £173million per year. That is – by a distance – the highest wage in football, which includes image rights and commercial commitments. Al-Nassr’s Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal are now preparing an offer for his long-term Argentine rival.
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It has been reiterated by Marca that Al-Hilal are favourites to land Messi this summer and have been in negotiations with the player for months. The footballer is an ambassador for the nation’s tourism board, giving them a further advantage in landing the signing.
Barca boss Xavi has responded to the situation by once again publicly stating his intention of bringing his former teammate back to the Camp Nou this summer. He told Diario Sport : "I'm in no doubt that if Messi were to return, he would help us in what we are wanting to achieve with our football.
"I am in no doubt and I've told this to the president. He continues to be a determined footballer, he has the hunger still. He's still a winner, he's a leader and he's different. At Barcelona, we've not had the same level since what we reached as a pinnacle in 2010.
"Messi brings you the talent of being able to play the final pass, he opens doors, scores goals. In the final third he can provide the difference. There's no doubt that he would still help us a lot - but in the end it all depends on him."
Leaving no doubt on the club’s stance, Xavi continued: "We're going to talk to him and his representatives. I think Leo has the upper hand, there is no doubt. Yes, it's true that we've already won in the post-Messi era and that has extraordinary merit, it's extraordinary, it's not valued anyway, but the fear that we had was when Leo leaves, what are we going to do?
"Well, Barca has survived, I think we have rebuilt the team and the group very well and this league title and this Super Cup have spectacular merit and without the best player in the history of football and this club has much merit.
"It's difficult to be in the skin of someone who has won it all. I'm not in his head, but I've been very clear about my relationship with him. We have the doors wide open. And if he wants to come, I'm in no doubt that it can happen and he would help us. But it's up to him. It's his personal choice."
