Newcastle United join race to sign Lionel Messi

Newcastle United are reportedly keen on signing Lionel Messi, a target for Barcelona, at the end of the season.

Lionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires, and he will not sign a contract extension with the Ligue 1 club. A report from SPORT claims that Barcelona are keen on bringing him back to the club. But they will have to face competition from Premier League outfit Newcastle United.

Messi has 20 goals to his name across all competitions, and he could prove to be a quality acquisition for Newcastle, even though it will be a short-term signing. The Argentine is widely regarded as the greatest player of his generation and he could make a big difference at Newcastle in the coming seasons.

Apparently, a number of clubs are willing to sign the player this summer, and Messi could receive lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia as well. However, the Argentine international wants to continue in Europe for at least another season. So it remains to be seen whether a move to Newcastle appeals to him.

There is no doubt that a move to Newcastle could come across as a step down for a player of his stature. But the Magpies are one of the richest clubs in the world and they could offer the Barcelona legend a massive financial package.

Furthermore, they are likely to play Champions League football next season, and their ambitious project could be attractive for the Argentine international. Messi helped his country win the World Cup back in December, and he will look to make his mark in the Premier League if he joins Newcastle.

With a player of his quality at their disposal, it will not be surprising if Newcastle turn into genuine title contenders next season. The Magpies will have to improve the squad significantly this summer. So they must look to plug the gaps in order to compete across all fronts next year.

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Meanwhile, an emotional return to Barcelona could be tempting for Lionel Messi. But the Catalan giants are going through financial difficulties and might not be able to afford him easily. It remains to be seen whether Barcelona can get rid of some of their first-team players and raise funds for Messi’s return.