Saudi Pro League team, Al-Hilal has reportedly raised their contract offer to Lionel Messi to €500 million (£435m/$541m).
The Argentine superstar is weighing his options as his two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires. With an extension to those terms still to be agreed upon at Parc des Princes, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is set to go.
The unpredictable 35-year-old has been linked with a move to the Middle East, as well as an emotional return to Camp Nou.
Al-Hilal are claimed to be interested in reuniting Messi with his never-ending rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh, with Cadena Ser reporting that he has received a record-breaking offer that would see him earn half a billion dollars in only one season.
Al-Hilal have boosted their offer by €100m after first tabling a €400m two-year contract for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
However, the founder of Mediapro, Jaume Roures, has stated that Messi’s preference is to return to Barcelona. According to reports, a decision on the South American’s future move will be made before the end of May.
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Barcelona have admitted to holding conversations with Messi’s representatives, with club president Joan Laporta vowing to do everything in his power to put an exceptional agreement in place, but the newly-crowned La Liga winners’ well-documented financial woes are making it tough for them to negotiate a deal. They are only offering the Argentine around €14m per year.
If Lionel Messi accepts the Al-Hilal contract, he will become the world’s highest-paid footballer, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently makes €200m per year.
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