Transfer Centre

Paris Saint-Germain 'willing to do whatever it takes to keep Lionel Messi'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 April 2023

PSG 'willing to do whatever it takes to keep Lionel Messi'

Paris Saint-Germain are pulling out all the stops to tie Lionel Messi down to a one-year contract extension, according to a report.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that Lionel Messi remains at the club for the 2023-24 season.

The Argentina international can depart the Parc des Princes as a free agent at the end of the season, and speculation over his future has been rife for the past several months.

At one point, PSG were said to have reached a verbal agreement to tie the 35-year-old down to a new contract, and they can also activate a one-year extension in his current deal.

However, it has since been claimed that the Ligue 1 champions are having second thoughts on Messi's extension, and he will not be short of offers despite his advancing years.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia and MLS are keeping a close eye on developments, while rumours continue to swirl surrounding a remarkable summer return to Barcelona.

Lionel Messi in action for PSG on July 31, 2022 © Reuters

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste recently revealed that the Blaugrana had been in contact with Messi's entourage to try to entice him back to Catalonia for one last swansong.

"Leo and his family know the affection I have for them. I participated in the negotiations which unfortunately did not lead to a certain result," Yuste recently told a press conference.

"I've always had and I have this thorn in my side that Leo couldn't continue at our club. Messi knows how much we appreciate him. I would love for him to come back. We're in contact, of course, with them."

However, reports in Spain claims that PSG are primed to trigger Messi's existing one-year extension, but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is yet to give the green light.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is supposedly pulling out all the stops to retain Messi's services, informing his father Jorge Messi that he will happily facilitate a wage increase or more years on his contract if he desires.

Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal with Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

The former Barcelona man failed to hit his usual lofty heights during his first campaign in Paris, but he has returned to his prolific ways as part of a fearsome trio with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Messi affirmed last month that he felt more comfortable in the French capital and expressed his desire to win silverware with Les Parisiens, telling PSG's media channels: "It's true that I feel very well.

"The first year, I needed a little time to adapt to Paris for different reasons, but I started this season really differently, with a lot of desire.

"I feel more comfortable with the club, with the city, with everything that Paris means. And the truth is that I am really enjoying this season. I think my whole life has been like that. About dedication, work, effort and wanting more every day. I've arrived at a new club and I want to win the title with Paris."

Messi currently boasts 18 goals and 17 assists from 32 games in a PSG shirt in the 2022-23 season, taking his total for the club to 29 strikes and 32 assists from 66 outings in all tournaments.

The French champions hold a six-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table and are next in action at home to Lyon on Sunday evening.