Neymar has reportedly asked his club Paris Saint-Germain to sign Lionel Messi, with sporting director Leonardo making contact with the Argentine’s representatives.
Messi and Neymar, who played together at the Camp Nou from 2013-2017, have also reportedly spoken earlier this week, as the Brazilian looks to persuade his club to sign Messi, with Manchester City also keen on the 33-year-old.
However, according to Sky Sports, the Ligue 1 champions – who lost in the Champions League final to Bayern Munich on Sunday – are yet to make a formal offer for Messi, despite Leonardo calling the player’s representatives to ask about the specifics of Messi’s contractual situation at Barcelona, details a separate report in Spain.
The report in Spanish outlet AS says that Leonardo wanted to discover what the clause is that binds Messi to Barcelona still – amid uncertainty surrounding his current deal – and also what salary and length of contract Messi is looking for.
In addition, Leonardo reportedly called again to inform Messi’s representatives that there are a number of elements PSG must consider before submitting an offer, particularly with regards to conforming with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Abiding by FFP rules will also be a concern for City, with both clubs having trouble with the UEFA regulations in the past.
Messi is currently on wages of £95m-a-year, with his fixed salary totalling £64m (€71m) but bonuses for signing, staying, and for winning trophies taking this figure well above that.
Just by playing 60 per cent of games until the 2021 date when his contract ends sees Messi earn on average £95m (€106m) a season. But the potential – if he were to win the treble and win FIFA’s player of the year award – exists to push the final figure over the £110m (€122m) mark.
Barcelona captain Messi shocked the world of football on Tuesday when he effectively handed in a transfer request.
Messi, 33, has not played for any other team and his sudden keenness for pastures new has alerted a number of top clubs, including Man City, Manchester United and Inter Milan.
However, United are not expected to bid for the Argentine this summer, whilst City are contemplating a move which would reunite Messi with his former coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
But Neymar, who has in the past year constantly been linked with a reunion with Messi at Barcelona, now wants his former team-mate to move to Paris, as the Qatari-owned club look to go a step further in Europe next season.
Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) celebrates a goal with Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club Bilbao at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 4, 2017. / AFP / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Neymar and Messi played together at Barcelona for four years and won a famous treble in 2015, forming a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez under manager Luis Enrique.
Yet the Brazilian, 28, moved to PSG three years ago in a world record £200m move, and has won three Ligue 1 crowns since moving to Paris.
But Europe’s greatest prize – at PSG – still alludes him and the prospect of forming a partnership alongside Messi and Kylian Mbappe has persuaded Neymar to ask his club to plunge for the Argentine forward.
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