Lionel Messi 'refuses key demand' in proposed PSG contract, fuelling Barcelona transfer rumours
Lionel Messi is reportedly 'unwilling to accept' the terms of a new contract at PSG, fuelling speculation of a sensational return to FC Barcelona this summer.
Messi - who joined the Parisian outfit from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 - is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a sensational return to his former club ahead of the 2023/24 season.
It is thought that Paris Saint Germain are keen on extending the World Cup-winning Argentine's stay in the French capital, as they look to get their hands on the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.
However, the prospects of Messi signing a new deal with the club appear bleak, with reports suggesting that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is reluctant to take a pay cut in order to remain in Paris.
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As reported by ESPN, Messi's latest contract offer includes a 25% wage reduction, something which the Argentine is unwilling to accept.
Messi is rumoured to earn roughly €780,000 per week on his current deal, with PSG looking to cut the weekly wage to around €585,000.
As a result, it looks as though Messi will be on the move for just the third time in his career, with the bookmakers suggesting that a return to the Camp Nou could well be on the cards.
Despite their well-documented money troubles, Barcelona are thought to be keen on bringing Messi back to the club and he has allegedly set out three conditions in order to secure his signature this summer.
PSG fans haven't reacted well to the news of Messi's potential departure and they made their feelings known as they jeered after his name was announced on the Parc de Prince tannoy on Sunday night.
Messi's former Barcelona teammate Thierry Henry was quick to react to the boos, as he urged Messi to return to Barcelona 'for the love of football' after the 'embarrassing' incident, as he told Amazon Prime Video:
"Personally, I would like to see him finish his career at Barcelona, in Europe. After that, I don’t know what he will do. Because the way he left Barcelona after everything he did… I didn’t really like it.
"For the love of football, he should go back to Barcelona."
Topics: Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona
Tom Young