Lionel Messi has left Barcelona as a free agent and PSG remain the favourites, especially after he dropped hints on social media, with Manchester City, Inter and Juventus also linked over the years.
The Blaugrana released an official statement this evening confirming that their star man would not be continuing at the club, refusing to sign the new contract after more problems emerged in the agreement.
He was already a free agent from June 30 when he went on to win the Copa America with Argentina this summer.
Now the question begs where will he go in future? There are very few clubs capable of signing the Ballon d’Or winner, especially with his €30m per season salary.
This makes PSG the favourites, especially after Messi posed for pictures on Instagram with Marco Verratti, Angel Di Maria, Neymar and Leandro Paredes.
He wouldn’t be the first free signing picked up by the Ligue 1 giants this summer, who also signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Milan, Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid and former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for free.
They also paid €60m plus up to €11m in add-ons to Inter for wing-back Achraf Hakimi.
Manchester City remain options, especially with former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola at the helm, but they seem on the verge of spending over €200m on two deals for England internationals Harry Kane and Jack Grealish.
Inter have long been linked with Messi over the years, going back to the Massimo Moratti era when he was not yet considered the GOAT.
It emerged again more recently when a Chinese television station publicised Inter games with an image of Messi’s shadow cast over the Duomo cathedral in Milan.
However, considering they are in even worse financial condition than Barcelona, they would not be able to support that salary.
Juventus are an intriguing idea, especially if Cristiano Ronaldo were to leave, but then he would likely only go to PSG anyway.
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