Lionel Messi is reportedly open to extend his stay with Paris Saint-Germain, despite many rumours linking him back to FC Barcelona. Reports from Le Parisien state that Messi’s entourage has been in talks with PSG over a possible contract extension but that the negotiations have not been progressing at all. Main reason would be Messi’s wage demands.
The Argentinian super star signed a two-year contract when he signed for PSG in 2021, but that contract included a clause for a third season that would be bilaterally triggered. Instead of the trigger, both parties intended to work on a new deal with a contract extension. It was even stated that both parties had found an agreement in principle at the end of 2022 but that Messi’s stance has changed since then.
His victory at the World Cup is considered as the reason for the forward to ask for a raise. PSG, on the other hand, were planning on renewing Messi’s contract on the same terms as his current deal. The French newspaper also reports that Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal has submitted a formal offer worth 400 million euros to Messi. It is suggested that the forward is using that offer to demand a wage hike at PSG.
Though the 35-year-old’s entourage have denied the reports that the financial side is keeping Messi from signing a new contract, but that the forward wants to know how the club and the team will look next season, especially if PSG will move forward with current coach Christophe Galtier or that there will be a new coach for the third consecutive season.
It is also said that Messi is not keen on a move to Saudi Arabia at all, but that he is also aware that his proposed dream move back to Barcelona isn’t going to happen. The Spanish club simply needs to generate too many funds to make the return of Messi possible that the forward has labeled the move as unrealistic. Meanwhile, PSG are not planning a new season with Messi in Paris and are already looking at possible replacements.
