PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN will not bid for wantaway Barcelona star Lionel Messi, according to reports.
The Argentine has lodged a shock transfer request at the Camp Nou, setting off what could turn into a huge legal battle.
Lionel Messi is not set for a reunion with Neymar in the French capitalCredit: AFP or licensors
With Messi attempting to enact a contract release clause, the club believe that option expired weeks ago and are demanding a fee as high as £630million for his exit.
Add on the striker’s astronomical wages and it is clear that very few teams can afford to cut a deal.
Champions League finalists PSG were tipped to enter the running having splashed out on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the past.
However, as Marca report, it is because of those expensive attacking acquisitions that the Parisians cannot bid this time around.
With Mauro Icardi recently added to the expensively assembled frontline, PSG do not see any scope for Messi in both a tactical and an economical sense.
Thomas Tuchel is said to be focusing on two defensive signings and a midfielder having released high earning veterans Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani.
Manchester City and Inter Milan are the two remaining frontrunners for Messi’s signature – with Pep Guardiola’s side holding a clear advantage.
The Spaniard’s excellent relationship with his former Camp Nou colleague has already sparked reports of conversations between the pair.
Furthermore, the Premier League club are thought to have a chance of fitting Messi into their Financial Fair Play plans.
But it is on the pitch where City are most superior to their Italian rivals, with Inter far from a side that can regularly compete for the major honours Messi is accustomed to.
Nonetheless, there is hope in Milan that only they can meet the 33-year-old’s financial demands as the summer’s biggest saga turns into a two horse race.
And Barcelona still hope to persuade their talisman to stay.
Technical director Ramon Planes stated on Wednesday: “We do not contemplate any contractual exit, because we want Leo to stay.
Internally we are working long hours to find the best solution for Barcelona and for Leo.”
Ally McCoist hopes that Messi will come to the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
