PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are plotting a move for Lionel Messi in case Kylian Mbappe leaves in the summer, according to reports.
Talks about a new deal with the French champions’ star striker are said to be stalling with his contract set to expire in 2022.
PSG are plotting a summer move for Lionel MessiCredit: Rex Features
Reports in Spain suggest they will use him to replace Kylian Mbappe
And PSG are keen to sign Messi to keep their superstar numbers up, according to Sport.
Its front page on Wednesday read: “PSG want Barcelona star [Messi] in case the French striker [Mbappe] leaves this summer.”
It goes on to add: “The Parisian team plans to press for the signing of Leo after the hesitance of Mbappe to renew.
“The French side say they can only keep two big stars in their squad in line with financial fair play.”
There has been little recent progress in talks between Mbappe and PSG with reports in December suggesting the Champions League runners-up might not be able to afford his wage demands.
On Tuesday it emerged Barca are scared stiff of Messi leaving this summer.
And PSG are said to be ‘lurking like vultures’ with the Argentine able to sign pre-contract agreements with non-Spanish clubs this month.
Messi’s Barca contract expires on June 30 this year.
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And any mention of his potential exit causes ‘earthquakes’ among Nou Camp chiefs, according to Sport.
On Monday, PSG stirred the pot again confirming Messi is on their ‘transfer shortlist’.
Sporting director Leonardo admitted they will try to sign the Argentine superstar after he told cash-strapped Barca he wanted to quit last summer.
Leonardo told France Football: “Great players like Messi will always be on PSG’s shortlist, but now isn’t the time to talk or dream about this.
“We are sitting at the table following this matter closely.
“Four months in football is an eternity, especially in this day and age, but our chair is reserved at the table.”
PSG will face competition from City who have made no secret of their desire to reunite Messi with former boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad after failing to do so in the summer.
Messi was sent off for the first time ever in his club career on Sunday after lashing out at Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre in the dying seconds of Barca’s Super Cup defeat.
The Argentine maestro was hit with two-game ban which Barca intend to appeal, even though he faced the threat of sitting in the sidelines for 12 matches.
Ally McCoist says Dele Alli should join PSG this month to get a Euros spot
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
