Lionel Messi contract: father of Argentine world champion in talks with Paris St-Germain over extension | News from the transfer center
Lionel Messi contract: father of Argentine world champion in talks with Paris St-Germain over extension | News from the transfer center
#Lionel #Messi #contract #father #Argentine #world #champion #talks #Paris #StGermain #extension #News #transfer #center Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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Lionel Messi’s father has held face-to-face talks with Paris Saint-Germain for the first time over the Argentine star’s proposed new deal.
Jorge Messi sat down with sporting director Luis Campos in Paris two days ago as the French champions stepped up their offer to sign Messi for another year.
Further negotiations are expected in the coming weeks – with Leo Messi’s priority being to stay in top-flight European football at least until summer 2024.
He is free to talk to any other club outside of France as his current deal expires in June this year – but PSG are the only club who have made Messi a concrete offer so far.
Despite widespread speculation, there has been no formal offer from either a Major League Soccer club, Saudi Arabia – or former club Barcelona.
In fact, Jorge Messi confirmed to the media upon landing in Paris earlier this week that he hasn’t spoken a word to Barca president Joan Laporta since his son left the club in 2021.
Messi gave his verbal agreement to discuss an extension with PSG just ahead of the 2022 World Cup as he lifted the trophy for the first time as Argentina captain.
However, he is keeping his options open beyond 2024 – but has often indicated interest in retiring from MLS. David Beckham’s Inter Miami is said to be one of the interested clubs.
Messi joined PSG in August 2021 on a two-year deal and a free transfer after being told by Barcelona they couldn’t afford to keep him.
Messi’s current contract at PSG ran for two years with an option for a third, but the last 12 months had to be triggered by both parties.
Discussions are now centered on a new contract and agreement has yet to be reached on its duration or cost – both in terms of wages and bonuses. After being fined £57m by UEFA, of which £8.7m had to be paid in full, PSG have to look out for financial fair play, although they have had no trouble dealing with it in the past.
PSG are currently five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 but lost the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 1-0 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Could Messi join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia?
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi played each other in a friendly in Saudi Arabia last month
Saudi Arabia hasn’t thrown in the towel on convincing Lionel Messi to join Cristiano Ronaldo in a bid to improve his league, despite the world champion’s talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a new deal, InNewCL Sports News’ Melissa Reddy reported in January.
There is a growing sense in Saudi Arabia that Messi – or any other footballer – is not out of reach. Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne have been circled on InNewCL Sports News as two examples of players to be targeted in the coming seasons.
It is revealing that former Manchester City boss Garry Cook has been appointed as the new Executive President and CEO of the Saudi Pro League.
Cook was in charge of City when it was bought by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan – he made the pitch to Abu Dhabi that sealed the takeover – and laid the foundations for the club’s dominance.
There wasn’t a headliner he didn’t try to win by hijacking Chelsea’s £32.5million move for Robinho in 2008 – a British transfer record at the time.
If Sir Alex Ferguson hadn’t personally met Dimitar Berbatov at the airport, Cook would also be involved in the Tottenham striker’s transfer to Manchester United.
He also made a £70m bid for Messi – through misunderstandings – which was rejected by Barcelona.
Cook is seen as a man who can achieve Saudi Arabia’s goal of having a league that rivals Europe’s major leagues.
Football is a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s strategic, economic and social goals.
