Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has revealed the club were considering making a move to sign Lionel Messi this summer.
The 51-year-old has stated the club’s interest in the Barcelona star was peaked when he handed in a transfer request at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona ace Lionel Messi wanted to leave the club this summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
PSG chief Leonardo (right) has spoken of the club’s interest in MessiCredit: Reuters
Manchester City were believed to be favourites to land the 33-year-old should the Blaugrana have allowed him to leave.
But the LaLiga side were demanding any potential suitors to stump up £630million after stating Messi was not allowed to depart for free.
This led the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to perform a U-turn on his future, with the player to now see out the final year of his contract in Catalonia.
And PSG chief Leonardo has declared Les Parisiens weighed up bringing the Argentine international to France, comparing the deal to when they signed David Beckham.
Speaking to Telefoot via Goal about whether the Ligue 1 outfit were keen, he said: “Today when you think about the financial situation it’s complicated.
“When we are told Messi wants to leave, we are tempted.
“You say to yourself, will it be f***ing possible?
“They are players completely out of any discussion.
“I don’t know, David Beckham ended up at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi ending up in Paris? I don’t know.
“It’s football, in the end, everyone’s sitting at the table, everyone knows everything, and it’s moving forward.”
It has now been said that Messi will not decide on his long-term future until the next Barca president is announced.
Messi has confirmed that he will stay at Barcelona
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
