Lionel Messi To Receive Astronomical €260 Million Four-Year Contract Offer If He Leaves Barcelona

Inter Milan are prepared to offer Lionel Messi a whopping €260 million (£235 million) deal if he decides to leaveBarcelona next year.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract is up next year and once again there are a series of stories linking him with a new challenge.

This time, however, the 33-year old seems even more disillusioned at the Nou Camp and recently called the team "erratic and weak" after losing the La Liga title to rivals Real Madrid.

Inter have been heavily linked with the Argentine talisman and according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzurri are hopeful of landing him on a free in 2021.

And while there would be no transfer fee, Inter's owners are willing to table an outrageous four-year contract offer that would see Messi earn €50 million net a year.

With such a hefty pay packet, Messi's net earnings would be higher than rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who takes home €31 million per year at Juventus.

It's said that Inter president Steven Zhang has already held discussions with Messi's representatives and even talked with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

In a very interesting move, Inter's owners appeared to have projected an image of Messi on the famous Duomo cathedral as part of promoting the game against Napoli.

Commenting on the publicity stunt, Inter's CEO Giuseppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia: "Messi on the cathedral? It wasn't my idea. It reminds me of football from the past with such situations. We are talking about an icon, a great player, a desire that everyone has.

"It's fantasy football, a utopian situation."

The decision is of course completely up to Messi, who has previously been challenged by Ronaldo to join him in Italy.

"For me, life is a challenge, I like it and I like to make people happy," he said in a 2018 interview with Gazzetta.

"I would like him to come to Italy one day. Like me, accept the challenge."

In the past Messi has stated his desire to retire as a one-club man but it remains to be seen if the situation has changed.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Messi, Lionel Messi, Inter Milan

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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