Lionel Messi may help Liverpool mount Premier League title challenge next season with key problem solved

Lionel Messi’s potential Barcelona return could lead to Liverpool signing one of the Catalan giants’ most prized assets.

Sky Sports News claimed on Tuesday that Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to make Messi a contract offer this summer by talking to La Liga about generating more flexibility in their Financial Fair Play rules.

The club are said to be in talks with the league regarding their spending limits for next season. Indeed, they are eager to bring Messi back to the Nou Camp for what is likely to be his last year in European football.

Barcelona’s efforts have allegedly been buoyed by the lack of progress in Messi’s contract talks with Paris Saint-Germain.

Indeed, earlier this month it was reported that Messi, whose deal expires in the summer, was keen to understand PSG’s sporting project before progressing with negotiations on an extension.

However, securing a deal for Messi will not be easy for Barcelona, who have been charged by La Liga for breaching their FFP limit with three players this term. The club remain at the limit of what they can spend and would almost certainly have to sanction outgoings to accommodate Messi’s return.

And Liverpool could be a beneficiary should Barcelona authorise a flash sale.

Liverpool to sign Gavi?

In March The Times claimed both Manchester City and Liverpool were tracking the development of Gavi’s contract situation at Barcelona.

And both clubs could have the opportunity to sign a player CIES values at £130million for free in the summer.

Indeed, the 18-year-old signed a new Barcelona deal in September to keep him at the club until 2026. The deal made Gavi a senior player and set his release clause at €1billion (£880million), a figure Barcelona notionally use to indicate a player is indispensable.

However, the clause will become null and void should it not be ratified by La Liga, who insist Barcelona cannot register the teenager because of the league’s financial rules.

If Gavi’s senior contract is cancelled, he will revert to his youth-team contract and become available for free in the summer.

Even before the Messi news was reported, Barcelona already needed to make several major sales to prevent Gavi from leaving for nothing. However, things will likely become even more complicated should the seven-time Balon d'Or winner return.

With Gavi more likely to leave the Catalan club with each passing day, Liverpool could benefit. Indeed, Klopp is thought to be a fan of the player, with Spanish radio station El Nacional claiming last April that the Reds boss had 'become obsessed' with securing a move for the midfielder.

Liverpool are in dire need of midfield recruits, and a player of Gavi’s quality could help them challenge at the top of the Premier League next term.