{"id":1309271,"date":"2023-05-15T09:43:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T08:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1309271"},"modified":"2023-05-15T09:43:55","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T08:43:55","slug":"lionel-messi-barcelona-return-psg-transfer-joan-laporta","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/lionel-messi-barcelona-return-psg-transfer-joan-laporta\/","title":{"rendered":"“We will do everything we can” \u2014 Barcelona president Joan Laporta talks up Lionel Messi return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club “will do everything we can” to try and bring Lionel Messi back to the Camp Nou this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Messi, 35, left Barcelona in 2021 after financial complications prevented him from extending his contract at the club. He subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, but his time in the French capital appears to be nearing an end.<\/p>\n

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was recently jeered by PSG fans after returning to action following his suspension for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. Christophe Galtier’s men dismantled Ajaccio 5-0 at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, but the booing of Messi dominated the narrative.<\/p>\n

PSG have the option of extending Messi’s contract in the summer by a further year, but a parting of company after two seasons appears to be the more realistic outcome between both parties, opening the door for the Argentine to make a stunning return to Catalonia.<\/p>\n

It’s a transfer that would still require huge financial gymnastics to make feasible, but Barca president Laporta has revealed he is prepared to move heaven and earth to try and facilitate a reunion between the two.<\/p>\n

Discussing the transfer rumour after Barcelona secured a first La Liga title in four years at their fierce rivals Espanyol on Sunday, Laporta told Jijantes<\/em><\/a>: \u201cWe will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In another conversation with RAC1<\/em>, Laporta admitted he has already been in touch with Messi. He said: “I spoke with Messi recently, we have a relationship with him.”<\/p>\n

“Messi is the best player in the world and any coach would want him in his team. <\/span><\/p>\n

“He had sone unpleasant incidents with the fans in Paris, I won’t disturb him right now. We exchanges some messages recently.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Barca is Messi’s home and Barca can compete with Saudi Arabia and everyone.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n