Barcelona shattered the internet when they announced via their social media handles that they would not be able to register Messi for the ongoing season, effectively ending their 21-year association.
Barcelona’s financial struggles meant that their wage bill had exploded beyond its limit and they would not be able to register Messi despite the 50% pay cut that the Argentine had taken. With that said, the situation is much brighter at Camp Nou now as the departures of Messi, Griezmann, Coutinho, Pjanic, and Emerson Royal have lightened up the wage bill considerably.
With the financial status of the Blaugrana en route to recovery, they are back as big players in the market, having completed the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City for a sum of €55 million. The former La Liga champions are also tipped to go all-out for Erling Haaland next summer and will go up against the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. The Blaugrana believe that they can offer the perfect sporting and financial project to the Norweigan talent despite their wage issues.
However, Haaland is not the only player tipped to make a move to Barcelona. Lionel Messi has been heavily rumored to return to Spain and to Barcelona, following reports that his family is finding it difficult to adapt to life in France. This comes per the third-tier Spanish outlet, El Nacional.
How true are the rumors surrounding Messi’s ‘possible’ comeback to Barcelona?
The Sun has refuted the claims made by El Nacional and the English outlet understands that Messi intends to honour his 2-year agreement with Paris Saint-Germain, which ends in 2023.
Is it even possible for Barcelona to register Messi this summer?
Barcelona will not have adequate room in their wage bill to register both Haaland and Messi in a single season as there is a lot of ‘financial cleaning up’ left to do. The club is still working on solutions for the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele, and Clement Lenglet. With Umtiti out injured for 3 months, a winter sale for the defender is looking incredibly unlikely. Dembele’s extraordinary financial demands have ensured that the contract renewal negotiations with Barcelona are off the track with the club close to withdrawing their offer and sending the player to stands.
Barca are said to be looking for a possible departure for the French winger and have apparently offered the 24-year-old to Manchester United and Newcastle United for €20 million. Coming to Lenglet, he is no longer considered untouchable at the club and if an offer arrives for the Frenchman, it will be ‘studied’.
Will Messi return to Barca?
Messi has been tipped to finish his European career at Barcelona after his current deal with the Parisians expires. The Argentine could very well make a comeback and play a season or two at Barcelona before moving on to the United States to feature in the MLS. This is all speculation at this stage but looks likely, given the 34-year-old’s love for the club and his desire to return at some stage.
A medical student with an avid interest for the game.