Rumour: Lionel Messi

[NathStPaul]

Lionel Messi definitely leaving Barcelona.

Could definitely do with a more attacking options, might fit within the £8500 a week wage budget too. Well worth a look.

[morganb]

Bournemouth in for him

[windermereROYAL]

No thanks, too old.

[CountryRoyal]

Too small for the championship, if Liam Kelly couldn’t cut it don’t see this fella being up to much.

[Mr Optimist]

Bournemouth in for him

and Forest.

[Sutekh]

Wednesday fans say 1 good game in 5 but that game is

Think I’ll pass.

[Franchise FC]

Wednesday fans say 1 good game in 5 but that game is

Think I’ll pass.

Which is more than he would need to do at this level

[Jagermesiter1871]

I imagine Derby will sign him after selling their mascot for £300 billion.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I heard he's looking to prove to everyone that he can deliver on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke and unfortunately as we're playing them tomorrow that will put us out of the running

[linkenholtroyal]

once we offload Moore we should be able to afford him.

[Stranded]

In all seriousness, one if these days I would love to see a top player, who whilst still at the top thinking sod it, I want a real challenge and I've won trophies etc. So I'm going to sign for a Reading/Barnsley etc and see what I can do.

[Snowflake Royal]

In all seriousness, one if these days I would love to see a top player, who whilst still at the top thinking sod it, I want a real challenge and I've won trophies etc. So I'm going to sign for a Reading/Barnsley etc and see what I can do.

Be great to see someone like that just see out a contract and see if they could singlehandedly take say Scunthorpe or Barrow from the foot of L2 to promotion as a year out and then sign for City etc

[Elm Park Kid]

Was chatting about this yesterday and it's debatable that any of the PL clubs in the CL would have the financial freedom to sign him - his wages are just too high to get within the rules.

Funnily enough, Spurs are probably the only PL club that could manage it as their new stadium will give them a high income and their wages are surprisingly low, especially if Kane goes. But . . . Messi . . .Spurs . . . . .Messi . . . .Spurs .. . .nope, just doesn't sound right

Given the state of European football finances it really is PSG or Barca for him - if Barca can get players off their books.

[windermereROYAL]

Was chatting about this yesterday and it's debatable that any of the PL clubs in the CL would have the financial freedom to sign him - his wages are just too high to get within the rules.

Funnily enough, Spurs are probably the only PL club that could manage it as their new stadium will give them a high income and their wages are surprisingly low, especially if Kane goes. But . . . Messi . . .Spurs . . . . .Messi . . . .Spurs .. . .nope, just doesn't sound right

Given the state of European football finances it really is PSG or Barca for him - if Barca can get players off their books.

Would that be the same Barca that have just released him?

[Elm Park Kid]

Was chatting about this yesterday and it's debatable that any of the PL clubs in the CL would have the financial freedom to sign him - his wages are just too high to get within the rules.

Funnily enough, Spurs are probably the only PL club that could manage it as their new stadium will give them a high income and their wages are surprisingly low, especially if Kane goes. But . . . Messi . . .Spurs . . . . .Messi . . . .Spurs .. . .nope, just doesn't sound right

Given the state of European football finances it really is PSG or Barca for him - if Barca can get players off their books.

Would that be the same Barca that have just released him?

His contract ran out and Barca were literally not allowed to give him a new one due to league wage budget restrictions. If they can reduce their squad I wouldn't put it past them negotiating a new deal with him.

[Horsham Royal]

If he really wanted to stay at Barcelona .... he could take a massive pay cut couldn't he?

[Millsy]

Yes ok let's do it. He's a fairly good player.

[Elm Park Kid]

If he really wanted to stay at Barcelona .... he could take a massive pay cut couldn't he?

He agreed a 50% wage cut with the club but the Spanish football authorities told Barca it would still leave them over their allowed wage limit.

[Horsham Royal]

If he really wanted to stay at Barcelona .... he could take a massive pay cut couldn't he?

He agreed a 50% wage cut with the club but the Spanish football authorities told Barca it would still leave them over their allowed wage limit.

That's a start, but by massive I mean 90 - 100%.
I'm assuming, even with tax fraud penalties, he has no financial worries at present (or for life).

Just saying, if he really wanted to stay he could ... not unlike Stranded's thoughts on a player taking a pay hit to drop down a league for what he wants.

[Elm Park Kid]

If he really wanted to stay at Barcelona .... he could take a massive pay cut couldn't he?

He agreed a 50% wage cut with the club but the Spanish football authorities told Barca it would still leave them over their allowed wage limit.

That's a start, but by massive I mean 90 - 100%.
I'm assuming, even with tax fraud penalties, he has no financial worries at present (or for life).

I mean - we might actually end up somewhere close to that. He doesn't want to leave, Barca don't want him to go. PSG really is his only other option, and I don't know how they will get round CL financial fair play. I don't blame the guy for wanting to make as much as he can in his last few years - but football is a different world to what is was pre-covid.