On 5 August, Barcelona shocked the world of football as it announced that it had resolved to part ways with the Argentine striker - who has spent almost two decades at Camp Nou - because of financial obstacles. Now the world waits with bated breath to learn where next the superstar will decide to grace with his presence.
Tottenham has joined the frenetic bidding war to secure the services of Lionel Messi. As per the reports, Spurs will be competing with Paris Saint-Germain, which desperately want to sign the athlete.
As per the reports, Spurs have received a big budget for the 2021/2022 football season which will receive a sizeable $180 million boost from selling its star Harry Kane to Manchester City.
This will be enough to secure the Argentine striker, widely regarded as the best player in football's history.
Another club that expressed interest in signing Messi is this year’s La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid. Last year they snatched Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, who helped them to win the trophy.
The news may well be another rumour as French media insist that Messi has already struck a deal with Paris-Saint Germain and is heading to Paris for medical tests. French journalist Julien Laurens said that hundreds of fans have already gathered at Le Bourget airport in the French capital.
Other media reports suggest that, although Messi has indeed started talks with PSG, the deal has not been signed yet and the French club may step into the same trap as Barcelona – wage limits in the French league and UEFA’s Financial fair play regulations may torpedo the deal.
This summer, the French club has already signed such stars as Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Achraf Hakimi (Internazionale) and Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool).
Spanish media suggests that local lawyer Juan Branco has filed a complaint with the European Commission to prevent PSG from signing Messi. Branco claims that the French club has a worse record of financial fair play than Barcelona and should therefore not be allowed to buy the Argentine striker.