Transfer Centre

Paris Saint-Germain 'will struggle to afford Barcelona's Lionel Messi'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 20 January 2021

PSG 'will struggle to afford Lionel Messi'

Paris Saint-Germain might be unable to fund a move for Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi due to his mammoth wage demands, according to a report.

Paris Saint-Germain could reportedly struggle to finance a move for wantaway Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi due to his wage demands.

The 33-year-old is inching ever closer to an exit from Camp Nou and - having entered the final six months of his deal - is free to enter negotiations with other clubs should he wish.

PSG and Manchester City have been the clubs most strongly linked with a move for Messi, but even those two financial powerhouses could supposedly struggle to fund a move even though he would join as a free agent.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Messi's weekly wage of £500k would be too much for PSG to fork out as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact clubs across the globe.

The report adds that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner would have to take a significant hit on his pay packet to secure a move elsewhere, as has been the case with Mesut Ozil, who is believed to have agreed to a £283k-a-week decrease in order to leave Arsenal for Fenerbahce.

Messi has scored 14 goals and provided six assists for Barca in all competitions this season, but he was sent off the first time in his Blaugrana career in Sunday's Supercopa de Espana final defeat to Athletic Bilbao.