Barcelona prepare incentive-based package to lure Messi

Messi is set to leave PSG this summer

Barcelona prepare incentive-based package to lure Messi

Faruq Ibrahim 22:39 - 31.03.2023

Barcelona are reportedly preparing a financial package to attract Messi back to the Camp Nou.

Several members of the Barcelona leadership have publicly expressed their desire to bring Lionel Messi back to the club on a free transfer when his contract expires this June.  

However, the World Cup winner has also been tabled an offer by his current club, Paris Saint-Germain. With Barcelona's financial troubles, they are not expected to be able to match PSG's offer salary-wise, instead, they have reportedly prepared an incentive-based package. 

Barcelona's package for Messi 

GFFN reports that Barcelona have prepared a series of 'levers' to lure the Argentine back to the club where he began his professional career.

PSG superstar Lionel Messi could be a free agent when his contract expires in June
PSG superstar Lionel Messi could be a free agent when his contract expires in June

Firstly, the LaLiga leaders are expected—as the need to do so has been regularly repeated by LaLiga President Javier Tebas—to sell players. 

Names like Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Clement Lenglet, and Eric Garcia are said to be on the market if an adequate offer is received, while the club are also looking for exits for Umtiti and Sergino Dest. 

The report suggests that Barcelona will be expected to guarantee a minimum salary on a contract length of at least two years, with an option to extend for an additional year.  

As make weight, the Catalan giants are expected to offer him a percentage of revenues from new sponsors, which the club anticipates will be knocking on the door upon Messi's return.

A percentage of Camp Nou ticket sales is expected to skyrocket, and a percentage of the profit made from selling Lionel Messi merchandise. 

Xavi on Messi return

As we reported earlier, Barcelona coach, Xavi, speaking in a press conference ahead of the club’s LaLiga game against Elche, was asked about the return of Barcelona’s highest goal scorer of all time. 

“This is not the time to talk about his return. I talk a lot with him. It's a topic that we are working on. Hopefully, we can see him at Barca again. It's the club of his life."

Messi’s return will clearly return the club’s profile to where it used to be but it will be intriguing to see how they pull this off and more importantly, how he fits into Xavi’s system.

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