Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly weighing up whether to allow Argentina icon, Lionel Messi, depart for free this summer.
Argentina’s superstar forward led the country to World Cup success in Qatar and has been in excellent form this season, scoring 18 goals in 32 games.
But, the French giants were slammed with Financial Fair Play sanctions in September and were fined £8.6m; a further £56.3m is dependent upon future compliance, so they are eager to reduce spending to avoid more penalties.
The club is reportedly considering letting Messi and teammate Sergio Ramos go at the end of their contracts.
Messi earns a staggering £740,000 per week, with Ramos earning a sizable salary as well.
And according to L’Equipe, Saudi Arabian clubs are prepared to pounce on the duo by offering them more generous offers.
PSG has launched contract negotiations with both players, but as yet no agreement has been reached with either.
The French champions are believed to want to keep both in the squad, but cannot afford to do so on their current wages, with neither showing any willingness to accept a sizeable salary cut.
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Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have reportedly been in contact with Messi’s father Jorge and offered his son a bigger wage than Al-Nassr pay the Argentine’s rival, Portuguese veteran Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Spanish defender Ramos is believed to have an offer worth four times his current PSG salary across a two-year deal in the Middle East.
Messi is reportedly ‘leaning towards leaving’ given the situation and the massive offers he could expect from Saudi Arabia and the MLS in America, with ‘pessimism growing stronger’ about his future in Paris, add L’Equipe.
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