Lionel Messi close to confirming PSG transfer as he arrives in Paris



Lionel Messi has arrived in France today, moving a step closer to the world's most stunning free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain following his departure from Barcelona.

The Argentina forward, 34, has agreed a deal in principle to join PSG as a free agent but his contract has not been formally signed. When the terms of his contract, which runs for two seasons, are completed he will undergo a medical.

Messi's departure from Barca has moved swiftly from Thursday when the club announced they had agreed a new contract but it did not pass Spanish football authorities' financial regulations.

Mauricio Pochettino, his fellow Argentine, would be in charge of one of the most potent attacking line-ups in history should he pair Messi with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, who played with Messi at Barca.

His wages will top £400,000-a-week while playing for PSG and as a free agent he can command a huge signing on fee as his new club will not pay for his transfer.

When might Messi make his debut?
Messi is yet to begin pre-season following his involvement in the Copa America with Argentina.

It means he's unlikely to play against Strasbourg on Saturday. But after more than a week's training, he could be fit enought to play against Brest on August 20.

Michael Owen has some thoughts...
If we are to believe everything we are told, it's a shocking state of affairs that #Messi has to leave Barcelona on FFP grounds only to join PSG. I've never been a fan of FFP but this whole situation highlights what a crock of s--- it really is.

Sam Wallace: What kind of Lionel Messi will PSG be signing - and is he worth the money?
One of the few footballers in history who have exposed the lie in the contention that no player is bigger than the club. He scored 38 goals in all competitions, he was Liga's top goalscorer with 30 - seven clear of his nearest rivals. It felt like he should be exhausted but even in a beleaguered Barcelona side he remained exceptional.

It's happening
Just in case you still had doubts, ssked by reporters at the airport if his son would sign for PSG, Jorge Messi replied: "Yes."

Messi's PSG move makes no difference to Ronaldo's Juventus future - Bonucci
"I think Cristiano would have stayed even if Messi did not go to PSG," Bonucci told Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday.

"For us he is an added value, and I am sure that this year, more so than in past years, he will help us to go far with all our objectives."

Messi's exit comes after his new contract failed to pass Spanish football authorities' financial regulations. La Liga has recently agreed a deal worth £2.3billion to private equity firm, CVC Capital Partners, to give a cash injection, although "obstacles" to the Messi deal prevented it from being completed.

And now Madrid want to take legal action against La Liga president Javier Tebas and CVC capital. They said in a statement:

"The Board of Directors of Real Madrid CF, at a meeting today at 11:00 am, has unanimously agreed to carry out both civil and criminal legal actions against the president of La Liga, Mr. Javier Tebas Medrano, against Mr. Javier de Jaime Guijarro responsible of the CVC Fund and against the CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS Fund itself.

"Likewise, the Board of Directors has also decided to carry out legal actions of all kinds that are deemed appropriate to annul and nullify the possible agreements adopted by the La Liga Assembly, to be held on August 12, 2021, regarding the agreement between La Liga and the CVC Fund."

Has Messi taken the easy way?
Should Messi have looked to play for a club outside of Europe's heavyweights? Should he have come to the Premier League? Will it mean as much playing for PSG?

A moment fans outside of Barcelona thought would never happen has finally arrived.

Lionel Messi is about to join Paris Saint Germain. After the shock announcement and an emotional press conference last week, it hasn't taken long for the Argentine to find a new club.

To the disappointment of fans in England, Messi won't be plying his trade in the Premier League. Instead he will be showcasing his talents in Paris alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe under Mauricio Pochettino.

According to French sports paper L'Equipe, Messi is due to arrive in Paris in the coming hours. The 34-year-old record goalscorer for both Argentina and Barcelona, is one of the greatest players of all time.

Paris St Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma says he is excited at the prospect of playing alongside Messi next season, after Barcelona announced that the Argentina great's contract would not be renewed.

Messi bid a tearful farewell to the Spanish club where he has spent his entire career on Sunday, and confirmed that he was in talks with PSG about a possible move.

The 34-year-old would be the biggest capture yet of an eye-catching transfer window where PSG have already signed Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum.

"I am happy if he comes to Paris," Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament Donnarumma told Sky Italia. "He is the best player in the world, I am excited and happy at the thought of having him in the team."

Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, who signed a six-year contract with Manchester City said he understood Messi's emotions.

"Everyone has seen the way Messi was at his final press conference," said Grealish.

"That is the exact way I felt myself. Actually before I left at the hotel I spoke to the team and the staff and the players and, yeah, you know I teared up a bit myself."

Pochettino's side began their bid to reclaim the Ligue 1 title from Lille with a 2-1 win at Troyes on Saturday.

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