In a significant development, Jorge, father of Lionel Messi has confirmed that the World Cup winner is actively seeking a return to Barcelona this summer.
Having already announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi aims to conclude his two-year tenure in France and secure a reunion with his former club for the upcoming season.
The Barcelona board has been eagerly pursuing Messi’s re-signing, but their plans have been contingent on obtaining approval for their financial plan from La Liga.
Barcelona had temporarily faced restrictions on registering new players due to exceeding the salary cap. However, reports suggest that La Liga is on the verge of granting approval to Barcelona’s financial plan, paving the way for immediate contract negotiations with Messi.
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Recently, Messi’s father, Jorge, met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta in a meeting that was documented by journalist Toni Juanmarti, affirming the ongoing discussions between the parties involved.
“Messi wants to return to Barça and I would love for him to come back,” Jorge said. “It is an option.”
Jorge later told Jijantes FC: “We trust that Messi can return.”
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Barcelona are confident as they work towards reaching an agreement to bring Lionel Messi back to the club, following his departure in 2021 due to financial challenges. The Catalan club intends to leverage their newfound freedom to secure contract extensions for several first-team stars as well.
Despite midfielder Gavi and centre-back Ronald Araujo already agreeing to long-term extensions months ago, Barcelona faced obstacles in registering these deals with La Liga. The league had imposed a ban on the club’s salary additions as they had exceeded their cap. However, Barcelona has been actively demonstrating to La Liga their financial stability and ability to fulfill their plans. The recent departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have significantly contributed to this cause.
Registering the extensions for Gavi and Araujo is among Barcelona’s top priorities. Once negotiations with Messi conclude, the club will shift its focus to pursuing additional transfer targets. Inigo Martinez, who confirmed his departure from Athletic Club this summer, could potentially join Barcelona.
Furthermore, the LaLiga champions has expressed interest in acquiring Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan as well.
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