Barcelona transfer news

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN fans crowded an airport on Sunday night – after fake reports Lionel Messi was due to land in the French capital.Hundreds of supporters gathered at the gates of the Le Bourget airport hoping to catch a glimpse of their new hero with phones ready to capture the moment.
PSG fans hoped to see Lionel Messi at Paris’ Le Bourget airport on Sunday night
The mass group were left disappointed because the forward was still in Barcelona
Footage from Marca also showed the large group bustling along the street chanting ‘Messi’.
But they were left waiting – because Messi was still in Barcelona.
The Argentine great, 34, conducted a press conference with his boyhood club on Sunday lunchtime.
He was in tears as he explained he did not want to leave the Nou Camp – but was forced out with Barca’s financial woes.
It means the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is now a free agent and open to offers.
Paris Saint-Germain look to be in pole position to sign him with a medical imminent.
They expect to land the Argentine on a two-year contract – with reported wages of £570,000 per week.
Marca add Messi and his entourage will fly to Paris early this week – and could even land in France today.
That would see PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino secure free signings for Messi, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the same transfer window.
And Messi would line up in one of the most devastating attacks of all time alongside ex-Barca team-mate Neymar and superstar Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
Neymar’s sister appeared to confirm the deal was done by welcoming Messi’s wife Antonela on Instagram.
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Rafaella commented in Portuguese: “Welcome beautiful!!!!” as they look to be reunited in Paris.
Barca’s record scorer told the media on Sunday afternoon: “Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, yes.
“At the moment nothing is confirmed. I received lot of calls after Barcelona statement. We’re talking about it.”
Messi held a press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday lunchtimeCredit: Getty
Preparations are underway in Paris for the imminent arrival of the Argentine legendCredit: AFP
PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium could stage the unveiling this weekCredit: AFP
Fans also congregated outside the Messi family home in Barcelona to say their goodbyesCredit: AFP

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LIONEL MESSI confirmed Neymar and PSG stars jokingly told him ‘come to Paris’ as they holidayed in Ibiza. Messi fuelled speculation of a move to the French capital when he posed alongside Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti.
Lionel Messi confirmed Neymar and PSG stars jokingly told him ‘come to Paris’Credit: Rex Features
And the Argentine legend admitted the PSG players did their best to convince him to join them in France.
Messi, 34, said: “Coincidence? Completely. I met them in Ibiza, we met them one day, got together and we’re friends.
“I was going to meet Paredes and Di Maria. Ney called me and said, ‘Do you want to see me?”  
“We uploaded the photo in that moment because we were having a good time and there was a joke at the time, they kept telling me, ‘Come to Paris, come to Paris’.
“It was just a joke, that was all.”
Messi is international team-mates with Di Maria, 33, as well as Paredes, 27, and also spent four years with Neymar, 29, at Barcelona.
And the pair are close to linking up again with Messi closing in on a move to PSG after his sensational Nou Camp exit.
Messi broke down in tears as he bid farewell to his boyhood club of 20 years at a press conference.
And it was there he confirmed interest from PSG, but admitted his future is not yet finalised.

Messi said: “It is a possibility, but as of today there is nothing agreed with anyone.
“When the statement came out, I had many calls, various clubs were interested. But I have nothing closed yet. But we are talking.”
According to ESPN, Messi’s move to PSG is all-but agreed and subject to a medical ‘tonight or tomorrow’ before signing the deal.
It is believed French giants PSG have offered the Argentine legend a two-year deal, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Barca had confirmed in a statement that ‘economic and structural obstacles’ had prevented a deal being ratified by LaLiga.
It meant they were unable to keep hold of their most prized possession, with PSG now ready to pounce.
Messi had pushed to leave only one year ago, but after a change of hierarchy at the club, he was convinced to stay.
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And he had agreed to extend his contract this month until Barca’s efforts were scuppered by LaLiga due to financial fair play rules.
Messi cried as he thanked supporters, leaving the club with 672 goals in 778 appearances.
He said: “I’m so grateful for the love people have shown me these years.”
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LIONEL MESSI confirmed moving to PSG is a ‘possibility’ but also has several other offers after his emotional Barcelona exit. Messi broke down in tears as he bid farewell to his boyhood club of 20 years at a press conference.
Lionel Messi confirmed moving to PSG is a ‘possibility’Credit: Getty
Leo Messi: “The pic with Paris Saint-Germain was a coincidence, completely. I was there with my friends, we decided to take a photo… they told me: ‘Come to Paris!’ but it was just a joke, we were on holiday”. 🔴🇫🇷 #PSG #Messi pic.twitter.com/aKuh0LXQEd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2021

And it was there he confirmed interest from PSG, but admitted his future is not yet finalised.
Messi, 34, said: “It is a possibility, but as of today there is nothing agreed with anyone.
“When the statement came out, I had many calls, various clubs were interested. But I have nothing closed yet. But we are talking.”
According to ESPN, Messi’s move to PSG is all-but agreed and subject to a medical ‘tonight or tomorrow’ before signing the deal.
The iconic forward fuelled speculation of a transfer to PSG when he was pictured on holiday with Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti.
But Messi said: “Coincidence? Completely. I met them in Ibiza, we met them one day, got together and we’re friends.
“I was going to meet Paredes and Di Maria. Ney called me and said, ‘Do you want to see me?”  

“We uploaded the photo in that moment because we were having a good time and there was a joke at the time, they kept telling me, ‘Come to Paris, come to Paris’.
“It was just a joke, that was all.”
With Messi unable to extend his Nou Camp contract, amid financial complications, he remains a free agent.
And it is believed French giants PSG have offered the Argentine legend a two-year deal, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Barca had confirmed in a statement that ‘economic and structural obstacles’ had prevented a deal being ratified by LaLiga.
It meant they were unable to keep hold of their most prized possession, with PSG now ready to pounce.
Messi had pushed to leave only one year ago, but after a change of hierarchy at the club, he was convinced to stay.

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And he had agreed to extend his contract this month until Barca’s efforts were sounded out by LaLiga due to financial fair play rules.
Messi cried as he thanked supporters, leaving the club with 672 goals in 778 appearances.
He said: “I’m so grateful for the love people have shown me these years.”

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ANTOINE GRIEZMANN, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba have led the tributes to Lionel Messi after his Barcelona exit was confirmed this week.It was thought that the 34-year-old was close to signing a new deal at the Nou Camp after becoming a free agent.
Antoine Griezmann took to Instagram to comment on Lionel Messi’s Barcelona exitCredit: Reuters
Spanish defender Gerard Pique declared the Nou Camp won’t be the same againCredit: Reuters
But it was announced on Thursday that ‘due to economic and structural obstacles’, his time in Catalonia has come to an end.
And he could now be set to be reunited with former Blaugrana team-mate Neymar at Paris Saint-German.
It has been claimed that the 2021 Copa America winner has been offered a £285,000-a-week contract until 2023, with the option of a further year.
As Barca fans come to terms with Messi’s departure, a host of the players have taken to social media to say their goodbyes to the club legend.
An Instagram post of Griezmann read: “The only thing I can tell you and that every soccer lover will think about it: THANK YOU!
“Thank you for everything you have done at Barcelona! For the city, for the club … you have changed everything! I am sure that it is not a goodbye but a see you later and that your path will cross again with FC Barcelona.
“I wish you the best, that you and your family are happy wherever you go. Very few know what it is to be Messi and you were an example for me in every way.”
Pique added: “Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, ​​not ourselves.
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Jordi Alba declared that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer in historyCredit: Reuters
Sergio Busquets has won three Champions League titles alongside Messi for the BlaugranaCredit: Getty
“After more than 20 years at the Club, you will stop wearing the Barça shirt. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.
“Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, ​​not ourselves. After more than 20 years at the Club, you will stop wearing the Barça shirt. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.”
Left-back Alba commented: “You are not only the greatest player in the history of football, but you are also an exceptional human being.
“Friend, thank you from the heart for everything you have given to the club, for your friendship, for your support in the grey days, for the great moments lived that will remain forever in our memory.
“I wish you and your whole family the best in your new adventure. A big hug, I love you brother.”
Midfield maestro Sergio Busquets stated: “I can only thank you for what you have done for the club and for those who have accompanied you in these years and specifically towards me.”
He continued: “I will miss you a lot. I can only wish you and your family the best because you deserve it, you will be missed.”
Teenager starlet Ansu Fati then posted: “All the boys who come to the Masia dream of being able to play with you, I feel lucky to have fulfilled it.
Ousmane Dembele stated that it was a privilege to play with the Argentina internationalCredit: AFP or licensors

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“I wanted to thank you for these two years for your gestures of affection towards me and for everything I learned.”
French forward Ousmane Dembele also thanked Messi, as he said: “Leo it was a privilege to have played with a legend like you.
“I thank you for everything you have done for me and for your support in good times and bad. Nobody will forget what you did for Barcelona and for football lovers.
“I wish you and your family all the best. Thanks Leo.”
Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho messaged: “Leo Messi THANK YOU so much for everything. A great honour to have met you and played by your side.
“Very grateful for the way you treated me and my family during that time! I wish you every success in your future and may GOD always bless your home and your family.”
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