Chelsea transfer news: Lionel Messi is set to leave PSG this summer as Mauricio Pochettino has chance to make huge reunion....CONTINUE READING
Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier has confirmed that Lionel Messi will leave the club this summer after two years at the club. The Argentine has been in talks over his future for several months after falling out with the PSG hierarchy.
Messi, 35, has helped the Parisiens to their second Ligue 1 title in a row since his arrival but won’t be competing with them past this season. He is a target for former club Barcelona and also ambitious Saudi Arabian sides as he looks set to move on once more.
Speaking ahead of PSG’s final game of the season against Clermont, Galtier admitted Messi wouldn’t be staying past his initial contract, saying: “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. It will be Leo’s last match at the Parc des Princes against Clermont”.
Barcelona are the clear favourites to sign the Argentine legend but reports suggest that Al-Hilal have made offers worth up to $1.2bn across a contract in order to sign Messi.
Chelsea have long been keen on making him one of their biggest-ever additions with the insatiable desire of Roman Abramovich to bring him to England. Todd Boehly has also entertained the chances of a deal, too, according to reports.
As the opportunity arises once more it doesn’t look like an unlikely second World Cup winner is going to be on their way to Stamford Bridge, following in the footsteps of Enzo Fernandez. New head coach Mauricio Pochettino has spoken glowingly of Messi previously, however.
Messi arrived during Pochettino’s spell in charge in Paris but neither party could get the best out of the other. “Messi is this type of player, for me the best in the world today, better than Cristiano Ronaldo and he can decide a game,” he said in November 2021. “[Diego] Maradona, for my generation, is always a very special player. When I was a child Maradona was like a god.
“It is difficult in your mind to change your view and say Messi is better or Ronaldo is better, but right now Messi is the best in the world. And if I didn’t coach Messi, I would still say Messi. I answer with my heart. I always say what I feel.”
Pochettino already has plenty on his plate without the potential thought of adding Messi to that, but it’s impossible to put anything past this Chelsea ownership.
