Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'will not leave Barcelona in January'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 27 December 2020

Lionel Messi is not considering a January exit from Barcelona and is happy to run down the final six months of his deal, according to journalist Moises Llorens.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is reportedly set to stay at Camp Nou until his contract expires at the end of the season.

After trying but failing to force a move away in the summer, Messi has been a key man for La Blaugrana yet again this term, but the six-time Ballon d'Or winner will soon enter the final six months of his Barca deal.

Barcelona presidential candidates have expressed optimism over keeping Messi on the books in Catalonia, but the Argentine is still expected to seek pastures new when his deal is up in June.

Rumours had surfaced regarding a possible January move to either Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain for the Barcelona captain, but ESPN journalist Moises Llorens has taken to Twitter to claim that Messi will not be heading for the exit door next month.

City and PSG are thought to be two of the few sides financially capable of pulling off a deal for Messi, who would command extortionate wages despite being available on a free when his Barcelona contract expires.

With Mauricio Pochettino reportedly set to take over at PSG, the Argentinian manager supposedly wants to bring his compatriot to the French capital, where he would reunite with former Barcelona teammate Neymar.