Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly considering launching a Bosman move for Lionel Messi, with Xavi Hernandez keen on reuniting with the Argentine.
According to a report by SPORT, Lionel Messi is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible Bosman move in the 2023 summer transfer window. Xavi Hernandez has requested Joan Laporta to launch the offensive to bring the Argentine international back to Camp Nou from Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer in the game’s long and storied history. The 35-year-old spent most of his professional career with Barcelona, staying at the Catalan club for nearly two decades, including his time in their famous academy La Masia.
The Argentine international has a mind-boggling record of 672 goals and 301 assists in 778 appearances for Barcelona. But Messi’s stint with the Blaugrana shockingly ended last summer, when Barcelona’s inability to table a new contract meant he departed from Camp Nou as a free agent.
Following his emotional exit from Barcelona, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. But the veteran forward failed to hit the heights of his stint with Barcelona in the 2021/22 season as he struggled to settle down at Parc des Princes. That reflected in his returns, as he managed 11 goals and 15 assists in 34 appearances for PSG.
While that tally is brilliant for most players, it pales in comparison to the numbers Messi produced when he was at Barcelona. However, Messi showed signs of finally starting to settle down in the PSG squad as the 2021/22 season reached its end, as illustrated by some of his brilliant displays at the tail-end of the campaign.
While PSG fans hurled jeers at him at different junctures of the 2021/22 season, Messi reportedly wants to honour his commitment to PSG. However, Barcelona might look to re-sign him in the 2023 summer transfer window on a Bosman move, with Xavi Hernandez keen on reuniting with his former teammate.
Xavi is forging a solid squad, with Barcelona making four impressive signings this summer. But bringing Messi back in a Bosman move could be the final act to restore the Catalan giants to their former glory. Xavi is thus asking Joan Laporta to start planning for a deal to re-sign Messi, but it will be interesting to see how things pan out for the veteran attacker at PSG this coming season.