PSG look to beat Manchester City to Lionel Messi as they 'make contact with his representatives' after Neymar asked club chiefs to bring his former Barcelona team-mate to Paris

- Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona in news that has shocked world football
- A number of top European clubs have been linked with a move for Messi
- Yet Neymar has reportedly asked PSG about trying to sign the Argentine
- In addition, the former team-mates have spoken on the phone about a move
- PSG sporting director Leonardo has made contact with Messi's representatives


^{Neymar has reportedly asked his current club PSG if they can sign Barcelona's Lionel Messi}

Neymar has reportedly asked his club Paris Saint-Germain to sign Lionel Messi, with sporting director Leonardo making contact with the Argentine's representatives.

Messi and Neymar, who played together at the Camp Nou from 2013-2017, have also reportedly spoken earlier this week, as the Brazilian looks to persuade his club to sign Messi, with Manchester City also keen on the 33-year-old.

However, according to Sky Sports, the Ligue 1 champions - who lost in the Champions League final to Bayern Munich on Sunday - are yet to make a formal offer for Messi, despite Leonardo calling the player's representatives to ask about the specifics of Messi's contractual situation at Barcelona, details a separate report in Spain.

The report in Spanish outlet AS says that Leonardo wanted to discover what the clause is that binds Messi to Barcelona still - amid uncertainty surrounding his current deal - and also what salary and length of contract Messi is looking for.

In addition, Leonardo reportedly called again to inform Messi's representatives that there are a number of elements PSG must consider before submitting an offer, particularly with regards to conforming with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Abiding by FFP rules will also be a concern for City, with both clubs having trouble with the UEFA regulations in the past.

Messi is currently on wages of £95m-a-year, with his fixed salary totalling £64m (€71m) but bonuses for signing, staying, and for winning trophies taking this figure well above that.


^{PSG sporting director Leonardo has made contact with Messi's representatives about a move}

Just by playing 60 per cent of games until the 2021 date when his contract ends sees Messi earn on average £95m (€106m) a season. But the potential – if he were to win the treble and win FIFA's player of the year award – exists to push the final figure over the £110m (€122m) mark.

Barcelona captain Messi shocked the world of football on Tuesday when he effectively handed in a transfer request.

Messi, 33, has not played for any other team and his sudden keenness for pastures new has alerted a number of top clubs, including Man City, Manchester United and Inter Milan.

However, United are not expected to bid for the Argentine this summer, whilst City are contemplating a move which would reunite Messi with his former coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.


^{Messi and Neymar played together at the Camp Nou from 2013-2017 and have remained close}

But Neymar, who has in the past year constantly been linked with a reunion with Messi at Barcelona, now wants his former team-mate to move to Paris, as the Qatari-owned club look to go a step further in Europe next season.

Neymar and Messi played together at Barcelona for four years and won a famous treble in 2015, forming a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez under manager Luis Enrique.

Yet the Brazilian, 28, moved to PSG three years ago in a world record £200m move, and has won three Ligue 1 crowns since moving to Paris.

But Europe's greatest prize - at PSG - still alludes him and the prospect of forming a partnership alongside Messi and Kylian Mbappe has persuaded Neymar to ask his club to plunge for the Argentine forward.


^{Neymar was devastated after PSG lost the Champions League final on Sunday to Bayern}

Speaking after the final defeat to Bayern, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel said: 'What coach says no to Messi?'

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu would step aside if Lionel Messi agreed to commit his future to the club, according to reports in Spain.

However, a separate report has revealed that the under-fire 57-year-old has tried to call Messi to bring about peace talks - but was ignored by the Argentine star.

Sanchez01:
Messi has become the fair woman that is being courted by both the gentlemen and the thugs and 'she' keeps courting almost all parties to the best of 'her' ability.

The story for Messi and Neymar is fast looking funny and strange. Both tasted European-level success when they played together and then Neymar broke off the union for being in Messi's shadow. It has been nothing but horror for both players since 2017 that Neymar left. Now they are both seeking to play together and possibly replicate the success they had around 2013.

The twist here is: Messi wants to play under Guardiola, and with Neymar in the team which is why he is pushing for City to sign Neymar. Neymar knows he cannot leave as he still has an active contract that will ruin his career should he attempt to terminate it or trigger the contract. His best chance is to whisper to the money bags in Paris to reel Messi in like a great white.

Meanwhile, City has offered 'two sacrifices' to ease and cushion Messi's asking price. The game changer here is not just where Messi wants to play or who he wants to play with on under. The one with the ace here is Adidas sponsors Messi. PSG and City are Nike controlled, which is a stumbling block somehow. Manchester United and Juventus are both Adidas sponsored which is somehow favourable to both clubs if they show interest.

Why it was different with Ronaldo is because he outrightly chose Juventus and didn't allow to be courted like Messi. In situations as Messi's, the premium sponsors often wade in and help (in some cases pay a part of the fee) to see the said player signed to the club they have business deals with. If Manchester United show keen interest in Messi like City and PSG, Messi will most likely move to Old Trafford.