Reports suggest Lionel Messi is already in talks with Paris Saint Germain - just days after he was seen hanging out in Ibiza with the club's stars
- Lionel Messi will leave FC Barcelona this summer, it was confirmed on Thursday.
- The Athletic reports that within hours the Argentine opened up talks with Paris Saint Germain.
- Just two days ago, Messi was pictured in Ibiza with five PSG players.
Lionel Messi is already working on sealing a move to Paris Saint Germain following Thursday's shock announcement that he will leave FC Barcelona.
And it comes just days after he was photographed hanging out with a number of the French club's top players, including former teammate Neymar.
Barcelona announced on Thursday evening that Messi would leave the Camp Nou after his proposed new deal was blocked due to La Liga's financial fair play rules.
"Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles," said the statement.
"As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona."
According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Messi directly contacted Argentinian compatriot and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino late Thursday evening.
Discussions over a move have now commenced, with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi leading the talks.
Just two days ago, Messi's former Barcelona teammate Neymar posted a photo to Instagram of the Argentine and himself alongside fellow PSG stars Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria, and Marco Verratti.
According to The Mirror, the five players had met up while on vacation in Ibiza.
"Amigos," wrote Neymar alongside the snap.
Neither Neymar or Di Maria have made secret their desire to play alongside Messi in Paris.
In December, Neymar said playing with Messi once again was his dream and that he wants the 34-year-old to move to France next season.
"What I want most of all is to play with Messi again, to be able to enjoy him once again on the pitch," said the Brazilian, who played with Messi at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017.
"He can play in my place, I have no problem with that! But I want to play with him next year, for sure. We have to do it next season."
Di Maria, Messi's international teammate, echoed Neymar's statements in April.
"From my whole career, from everything I've seen, I think Leo is from another planet. To have him as a team-mate would be wonderful," he told BeIN Sports.
"But he is a Barcelona player, he has a contract. After that, we'll see. I talk a lot with him and I always tell him that the important thing is his happiness and that of his family. It's hard to say anything else."