LIONEL MESSI is reportedly set to be offered a £194-MILLION-A-YEAR deal to move to Saudi Arabia.
The Argentine, 35, will become a free agent in the summer if he does not agree a contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain.
But while the French giants remain keen to secure a deal, Saudi chiefs are hoping they can lure the Barcelona legend to the Middle East.
They are set to offer him the same deal Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, agreed when he joined Al-Nassr in December.
Earlier this week, Messi’s dad, Jorge, was spotted in Riyadh meeting Professor Abdullah Hammad, – head of the Mahd Sports Academy and a close associate of sports minister Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal.
Messi is an ambassador for the Saudi Arabia Tourist Board – one explanation for his father’s visit.
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But Marca are reporting the Saudis are also set to propose a £194m-a-year offer to the superstar forward.
And his dad’s presence in the country has added further speculation surrounding a potential move to the Saudi Pro League – with Al-Nassr’s rivals Al Hilal the most likely destination.
However, there are a number of other options on the table for Messi.
One of those is a return to Barcelona – where Jorge flew to following his trip to Saudi.
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The World Cup winner has also been linked with a move to David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami.
Yet despite links to both Saudi and America, staying in European football is still the most likely outcome for Messi.
He is understood to want at least one more year at the top level of the game.
And his performances for Argentina at the World Cup proved he remains one of the best players in the world.
He has also contributed 18 goals and 17 assists in 31 games for PSG this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
