Lionel Messi 'to stay at Paris Saint-Germain this summer'

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi will stay at the club for the 2022-23 season, according to a report.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has not hit his usual goalscoring heights during his first season in France but has amassed a respectable nine goals and 13 assists from 30 appearances in all tournaments.

Messi scored only his fourth Ligue 1 goal of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lens - a result which clinched the Ligue 1 title for Mauricio Pochettino's side with four games to spare.

The 34-year-old's contract at the Parc des Princes is due to run until 2023 with the option of an additional 12 months, but he has been linked with an early exit amid PSG's Champions League disappointment.

However, Sky Sports News claims that Messi is set to remain at the club for at least one more year, and the French champions are prepared to build the team around the Argentina international.

Pochettino's future in the Parisiens hotseat is more uncertain, though, with a separate report claiming that the capital club are preparing to sack the 50-year-old and his coaching staff 'imminently'.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has emerged as a surprise contender to take the reins at the Parc des Princes should Pochettino move on in the summer.