Lionel Messi: Barcelona president Joan Laporta vows to make every effort to bring star back to club this summer

ByYara El-Shaboury

Published 15/05/2023 at 13:32 GMT

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has said the club will do everything in their power to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Laporta also said that he has mended his relationship with Messi after their fallout in 2021. The club will have to fight off interest from Saudi Arabia, and solve their own financial hurdles to bring Messi back to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has promised fans that the club will do "everything we can" to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer.

Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain will expire soon, is currently weighing his options for the future, with a return to Barcelona and a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabia being the primary choices considered by the player.

However, the financial constraints faced by Barcelona mean that several factors must align for a potential move to materialise. Reports suggest that the Catalan club need to reduce their wage bill by approximately £180 million in order to make significant signings.

Transfers

Messi could become co-owner of Inter Miami with Beckham – Paper Round

06/04/2024 at 07:10

Laporta emphasised the club's commitment to securing Messi's return, stating, "We will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona," during an interview with Jijantes FC.

"We are working on next year's team and hope to reinforce it," Laporta added.

"We are following an austerity plan to ensure we have enough financial fair play to enhance the team. Our preparations are aimed at having an even more competitive squad next season."

'Messi in the air' - Barcelona fans celebrate club’s 27th La Liga title at Las Ramblas

• 'We had to go inside' - Xavi on Barca title celebrations amid pitch invasions
• Revealed: Pochettino's five-man Chelsea transfer shortlist - Paper Round
• Pogba in tears after suffering injury in first start in over a year

Laporta also made the case for Messi to join Barcelona over a club in Saudi Arabia, telling TV3 in a separate interview: "With all due respect to Saudi Arabia, where a lot of good work and investment is taking place around the league there, Barca is Barca.

"Barca is his home. Barca can compete with anyone. The history this club has, and the feeling of our 400 million supporters is so strong.

"We are working hard to build a competitive team for next season," Laporta reiterated. "We will see if La Liga approve our viability plan."

Messi's relationship with Laporta has been questioned, with the pair reportedly falling out when the player was forced to leave for PSG in 2021, but the Barcelona president insisted that all was now well between the two.

"I have spoken with him recently to rectify the situation after I had to put the club before everything, even him, the best player in the world," he explained.

"It was a pleasant conversation. We have recovered the relationship we have had for many years."

Football

'The moment I feel I am no longer able to perform' - Messi hints at retirement plans

27/03/2024 at 13:24

Olympic Games Paris 2024

France boss Henry warns of 'long journey' as groups drawn for Olympic football

20/03/2024 at 23:16

Football

'I wanted to participate' - Messi defends controversial Hong Kong friendly absence

06/02/2024 at 14:05