Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste confirmed the club is “in contact” with Lionel Messi’s representatives as they attempt to bring the superstar back to the club.
Messi was forced out of the Spanish giants in 2021 due to the club’s precarious financial situation and signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
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However, the Argentinian’s deal with the French club expires at the end of the season and will no doubt spark a feeding frenzy as teams fall over one another to snap up the World Cup winner.
One report claimed all 29 MLS clubs will collectively chip in to help pay Messi’s wages just to lure him to one team in the league, while PSG have made no secret they’d like to keep him.
Barcelona has now officially thrown its hat into the ring in an effort to reunite the forward with former teammate-turned-Barca-manager Xavi.
“I am still gutted he couldn’t continue here,” Yuste said.
“Of course I would like him to come back., because of what he represents on a sporting, social, economic level.
“We are in contact with [Messi’s camp], yes. Beautiful stories should have happy endings, and there is mutual love between the two parties.”
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Although many of the powerbrokers at the club and the fanbase dream of a Messi reunion, they must first navigate the treacherous waters that is their finances.
Barcelona must shave a staggering $AUD163 million from their annual spending, or stump up the money by selling off their players in the summer, to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations so they can sign players and register contracts.
The club has already copped one major blow on that front with La Liga preventing them from registering star midfielder Gavi on the massive contract he signed last year, meaning the star youngster remains on a youth contract and could walk for free in the summer.
However, Yuste has faith the club will find a way to get their books in order and also be able to make a play for Messi.
“We still have two months to work hard to present our revenue and sustainability plan to [La Liga president Javier] Tebas,” Yuste said.
“I don’t like to speak about Leo because he is a PSG player, but if all the conditions are met, we are open to the possibility.
“Of course, there is no plan to go on the attack because we don’t want PSG to see it like that. If it happens, it will be because destiny takes you back to where you have to go.
“If all the conditions come together and Leo comes back to Barcelona, it would be the perfect ending to a very happy story.”