Five clubs Lionel Messi could join if he leaves PSG

The 35 year-old, who has been suspended by PSG after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, has the option of signing a one year contract extension at the club but his camp is thought to have told the club’s owners he will be leaving at the end of the current season.

The prospect of Messi of being available is likely to spark a huge transfer battle between some of the biggest and wealthiest clubs on the planet.

Here’s a look at some of the most likely candidates for his signature.

Barcelona

A move home to Barcelona, where Messi scored 672 goals and won 34 trophies during his 21 year spell, would be the romantic option for many people in the game.

Messi is thought to be keen to return to the Spanish giants, whilst Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made no secret of his desire to return Messi to the Camp Nou.

However, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona can afford the deal, with the club expected to be ordered to slash their wage bill by around £175m for next season.

Barca haven’t even yet been able to register new contracts for Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto, meaning that cold, hard numbers could prevent the incredible reunion.

Al-Hilal

Messi has reportedly received a huge £350m offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, which would be the most lucrative in the history of the game if it went through.

The deal could even involve state involvement from the Saudi government, with Messi already the highest profile ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Beyond the obvious financial appeal of having arguably the greatest player of all time in their league, Saudi Arabia would likely take great delight at snatching Messi away from PSG’s Qatari owners, with the two countries having long-standing tension between them.

Manchester City

It’s scary to think the defending Premier League champions could get even better.

Messi has yet to play in English football, but a first foray to these shores would see him reunite with Pep Guardiola, with whom the Argentine played some of the best football of his career at Barcelona.

City, who would certainly be able to afford Messi’s wage demands, were heavily linked with the player before he moved to PSG two years ago.

Inter Miami

A potential transfer to the MLS wouldn’t be the first time a legendary South American star would have made the move to America, following in the footsteps of Pele who moved to New York Cosmos at the twilight of his career in the 1970s.

When asked about the possibility of Messi rocking up in Florida, manager Phil Neville said: ‘I think it goes bigger than Inter Miami. I think it’s in MLS. It’s big for the MLS. I think this would be probably the biggest signing ever in American sports.’