Neymar likes Instagram post showing Lionel Messi in PSG kit after former team-mate’s shock exit from Barcelona

NEYMAR dropped a not-so-subtle hint that he wants Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain next season. Messi shocked world football on Thursday night when Barcelona confirmed he will LEAVE Barca as they cannot agree to terms on a new contract. PSG are the frontrunners to sign the 34-year-old superstar, especially after Manchester City announced their British […]

NEYMAR dropped a not-so-subtle hint that he wants Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain next season.

Messi shocked world football on Thursday night when Barcelona confirmed he will LEAVE Barca as they cannot agree to terms on a new contract.

PSG are the frontrunners to sign the 34-year-old superstar, especially after Manchester City announced their British record £100million signing of Jack Grealish.

According to multiple reports, Messi and PSG are already in ‘direct contact’ – after Messi got in touch with PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino late on Thursday after the news came out.

Neymar, who enjoyed a brilliant spell alongside Messi with Barcelona as part of the ‘MSN’ strikeforce with Luis Suarez, wants a reunion.

The Brazilian star, 29, liked a post on Brazilian Instagram page TNT Sports that showed Messi in a PSG kit and hugging his former team-mate.

Earlier this week Neymar also posted another picture of him and Messi together, along with others, with the caption ‘Amigos’.

And if various reports are to believed, the wheels are already in motion on Messi moving to Paris.

According to Fabrizio Romano, PSG are already in ‘direct contact’ with Messi and his father/agent Jorge.

And The Athletic report that Messi himself reached out to Pochettino late on Thursday.

From there, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi became involved with the moneybags club’s operations team said to have already held discussions on how ‘commercial avenues can be maximised to reflect Messi’s stature.’

The report also states that PSG are confident that the huge cost involved in signing Messi will be offset by the massive revenue he drives – both for the club themselves and because of an increased interest in Ligue 1 if he were to arrive.

Reuters

Lionel Messi is said to already be in ‘direct contact’ with PSG after his shock exit from Barcelona[/caption]

Reuters

Messi is said to have reached out to Mauricio Pochettino late on Thursday[/caption]

In recent weeks it had looked as if Messi, who has been a free agent since the end of June, would sign a new deal to stay.

He had even been willing to take a pay cut to return – but a deal could not be reached and was apparently blocked by LaLiga because of Barcelona’s dire financial situation.

With very few other clubs able to meet Messi’s huge financial demands, the path to PSG would appear clear – unless there is another twist and the six-time Ballon d’Or winner moves to MLS or returns to Argentina.

Neymar, formed a wonderful partnership with Messi before he left for Paris and the thought of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe joining up will set pulses racing.

However, despite the shock news, there is some belief that the situation between Barcelona and LaLiga gets resolved and Messi ends up staying in Catalonia.

Reports indicate that Messi had been in Barcelona to put pen to paper on a new deal with an announcement even scheduled to take place.

But Barca informed their greatest ever player that their hands had been tied by LaLiga.

EPA

Former team-mates Messi and Neymar could be heading for a reunion in the French capital[/caption]

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AFP

Barcelona fans gathered at the Nou Camp after the shock news[/caption]

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Confirming his exit, a club statement read: “Despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations).

“Given this situation, Lionel Messi will not continue [with] FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the club cannot finally be fulfilled.

“Barca would like to thank with all its heart the player’s contribution to the enhancement of the institution and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life.”

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