Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'to replace Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 14 December 2020

Lionel Messi could reportedly join up with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain next summer if Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe were to leave the club.

Lionel Messi's potential exit from Barcelona to link up with former teammate Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain next summer is reportedly 'a real possibility'.

Despite the departure of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Messi remains unhappy at Camp Nou after not being allowed to leave the club last summer.

Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, but European football expert Andy Brassell has claimed that the Argentine could join the Parisian outfit as a replacement for Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe.

"Neymar has said quite clearly that he wants to play with Lionel Messi, going forward," Brassell told talkSPORT.

"Now, this was something [PSG president] Nasser Al-Khelaifi didn't deny – an interest in Messi. But how you fit [Messi, Neymar and Mbappe] on the wage bill, I don't know how it happens.

"I wonder if there is a scenario in which Kylian Mbappe, who is – with 18 months left on his contract – Real Madrid's top target going into next summer going there, and they do pair Neymar and Messi in Paris. I believe that's a possibility."

Neymar recently stated his desire to play alongside Messi once again, having previously formed a devastating partnership at the Spanish giants between 2013 and 2017, winning the Champions League, two La Liga titles, as well as three Copa del Rey triumphs.