Barcelona vice-president of economics Eduard Romeu has confirmed that re-signing Lionel Messi shouldn’t be presently deliberate for within the membership’s funds and would solely be viable if the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and Camp Nou icon is accessible as a free agent.
Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent when his final Barça contract expired in 2021. He had agreed to an extension, though he had truly requested to go away in 2020, however the membership’s dire funds meant they didn’t have the wage room to register it with La Liga.
The 35-year-old not too long ago admitted that he struggled in his first yr in Paris however now ‘feels totally different’, which is exhibiting in his a lot improved kind.
But Barça have remained decided to reunite. Membership president Joan Laporta boldly acknowledged throughout summer season the Messi chapter ‘isn’t over’ at Barcelona and a native report final weekend urged that the membership has began exploring choices to try to make that dream a actuality.
Romeu, talking on Radio Catalunya, has provided a little bit extra to the story.
“If he got here again, it could be free, so it could be viable inside my space, though I haven’t got it within the funds,” the membership’s numbers man stated.
“He’s an icon of the membership, this can all the time be his dwelling, nevertheless it will probably be a technical choice.”
Messi is beneath contract at PSG till the tip of the season, though the phrases of the deal does embody an choice for it to be prolonged by one other 12 months to 2024.
Romeu went on so as to add that though Barcelona’s funds at the moment are in much better situation than they had been, there may be nonetheless a necessity for ‘austerity’ and it might be one other two years earlier than issues return to a extra regular stage for the membership.
“We’ve saved Barça, however we nonetheless have not resolved it,” he defined. “We do not have it wholesome; it entails a number of austerity, a number of rigour and there’s a lot of labor to do. Within the 2024/25 season we will probably be on the stage that corresponds to us.”
For extra from Jamie Spencer, observe him on Twitter and Fb!
