IN SPORT.ES
Barcelona have not given up on a Lionel Messi return, despite rumours he might extend his Paris Saint Germain stay.
President Joan Laporta is in charge of trying to bring the forward back, despite the difficulties of doing so. He will do what he can to try and make it happen.
Laporta first wants to get in touch with Messi, who is celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win. The chief thinks now might be the moment to turn the page on the summer of 2021, when Messi was forced to leave with the club unable to renew his deal.
Economically the situation is complicated. Barca can’t get close to matching what PSG can offer Messi. They are conscious that at the end of the season he is out of contract so can arrive for free, so at least there would be no transfer fee. They are working on a way to afford his salary, with the No 10’s return a priority.
His return would also help the club ahead of their move to Montjuic for next season, as they hope to keep attendances high.
Laporta does not want to throw in the towel, despite how complicated the situation is. The goal would be to give Messi the homage he deserves at the club and make him a future ambassador for Barca on a global scale.