Al Hilal are "preparing to announce" insane £345 million-a-year Lionel Messi transfer imminently

Lionel Messi's outrageous £345 million-a-year switch to Al Hilal is set be announced by the club on Tuesday, reports claim.

After rumours began to swirl following his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and subsequent suspension, it's been confirmed that Messi will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two years.

Manager Christophe Galtier has revealed his final game will be at the Parc des Princes on Saturday as the team celebrate the Ligue One title.

"I had a privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football," Galtier said in a press conference.

"It will be Leo’s last match at the Parc des Princes against Clermont".

Messi's contract with PSG expires on June 30 and he will become a free agent for the second time of his career. He has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona, as well as David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami.

There's even been talk of a joint-operation between the two clubs, but fresh reports claim Saudi side Al Hilal are planning for Messi's arrival.

SPORT say Al Hilal have submitted an astronomical offer to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner whereby he will earn £170 million more than long-time rival and Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Image: Alamy

The report, citing sources from within the club, claims Al Hilal, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, are fully intending to announce the capture of Messi early next week.

The Argentina legend is already a travel ambassador for Saudi, hence the contractually obliged trip which caused mass controversy.

The club have set the 6 June as the date for Messi's final answer so they can "activate all the protocol prepared".

Messi wishes to have his future concluded swiftly as opposed to it becoming a saga throughout the summer and Barcelona , despite their interest, currently don't have the facilities to present an offer as they await La Liga's verdict on their viability plan.

Image: Alamy

Karim Benzema and Sergio Busquets are among the high-profile stars linked with making the move to Saudi and Ronaldo, who put the league on the map by joining in December, has encouraged others to join.

"If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, 'old players,' they are very welcome because if that happens, the league will improve a little bit," he told the Saudi Pro League official channels.

Topics: Lionel Messi, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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