Lionel Messi leaves Barcelona: Star holds talks with Mauricio Pochettino over potential PSG move - reports

Published 06/08/2021 at 08:54 GMT

Barcelona confirmed on Thursday night that their talismanic leader Lionel Messi would leave the club after they could no longer afford to give him a new deal. That has left him in search of a new club, and reports suggest that he has held early talks with Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino over a potential move to France.

Lionel Messi

Image credit: Getty Images

Lionel Messi has held walks with Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino to explore the chances of a move to the French capital, according to reports.

The Independent claims that PSG are now working out the logistics of such a move, after the 34-year-old Argentine’s departure from Barcelona was confirmed on Thursday night.

Barcelona have not been able to agree a deal with Messi due to the economic restrictions placed upon them by La Liga. The club had been unable to register new players as a result of their wage bill, and Messi would have been classed as a new player as well, having technically left the club upon the expiration of his last deal.

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Messi now needs to find a new club, having expected most recently to have stayed in Spain, and he has now held talks with former Spurs boss Pochettino.

PSG and Manchester City are the likeliest destination for Messi, along with MLS side Inter Miami, who have a longstanding interest in bringing the player over to America, but the latter two clubs are probably priced out of a move this summer. City have signed Jack Grealish for around £100 million from Aston Villa, and could spend even more on prising Harry Kane away from Tottenham.

One stumbling block for any club could be Messi’s wage expectations, which may exceed £500,000 a week.