Transfer Rumors: PSG Won’t Pass Up On Lionel Messi

Barcelona is trying to frantically keep Lionel Messi, but that has not stopped other teams from possibly cashing in.

One of the teams keeping close watch of the Argentine’s situation this summer is Paris Saint-Germain.

Aware that the 33-year-old’s deal with Barca ends in the summer, Messi will be free to negotiate with other teams after the season. PSG had shown interest in the Argentine forward in December, and it appears nothing much has changed.

No less than PSG sporting director Leonardo shared to France Football that Messi is someone who will always be on the club’s list.

Though it is too early to discuss any potential Messi transfer, he admits that there is interest from their end and that they are monitoring the situation.

"Great players like Messi will always be put on PSG's list. Of course, it is not the time to talk about it or to dream about it. But we are sat at the big table of the clubs following this closely," Leonardo stated.

With Messi’s caliber, it would take a huge financial toll on PSG’s part to acquire the Argentine hotshot. That could be costly considering Les Parisiens needs to work out extensions with two top names on their end. These are Kylian Mbappe and Neymar whose contracts will expire in June 2022.

Regardless of their contract situations, Leonardo feels that things will work out. He adds that they don’t have to beg the two to stay and remains confident that both will stay on board moving forward.

"We are not begging them: 'Please, stay.' It is more argued than this. The ones who really want to stay will stay. We exchange regularly and I have good vibes on both those cases," he stated.

As for Messi, the Argentine has made headlines recently for drawing his first red card in 753 Barcelona first-team games. He was sent off in Barca’s Super Cup final defeat to Atletico Bilbao, and such could force him to miss at least four matches if the RFEF take a dim view of the incident, Barca Blaugranes reported.

A decision has yet to be made although that could come in the coming days. Regardless, Barcelona is reportedly planning to attempt to reduce the ban on Messi once the official verdict is out.