December 16 – Paris Saint-Germain are reported to be growing increasingly confident of landing Lionel Messi on a free transfer next summer because of his wage demands at Barcelona whose finances have taken a massive hit as a result of the effects of coronavirus.
Earlier this month, Barca interim president Carlos Tusquet announced that player salaries in January cannot be paid.
Messi, who is out of contract at the end of the season, asked to leave Barca at the start of 2020-21 but ultimately, for legal reasons, opted to remain at Camp Nou where he has spent two decades.
But it has become clear his wages are not sustainable and Manchester City, who like PSG have Middle East owners, may challenge the French club to sign the mercurial Argentine. Few other clubs in world football could afford to pay his astronomical salary of approximately £54.2 million a year.
Barcelona presidential candidate Emili Rousaud has admitted the club just can’t afford to keep paying Messi the same sum.
Speaking to AS in Spain, he said: “When Messi said he was leaving, he didn’t say it for money.
“He has the highest salary in the world, there is no one who earns more than him. Clearly, in the current environment of the club, Messi’s salary is not sustainable. An agreement must be reached.”
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