The soap opera continues. More than ever. Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Monday he would do "everything possible" to bring Argentine star Leo Messi back to the club, saying he had spoken to the player to overcome his stormy departure from Barca in 2021.
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I spoke to Leo to redirect a situation that occurred, where I had to put the institution first, even him, who is the best player in the world," Laporta told Catalan regional public broadcaster TV3.
"The club is on an austerity plan"
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The truth is that it was a very affectionate, very pleasant conversation, and that we have also sent messages to each other lately, "added the Catalan president, ensuring that "there is a relationship" with the player. Laporta told Jijantes earlier Monday that "we will do everything possible" to bring the Argentine No.10 back to Barça, but he was more cautious on TV3.
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He is a Paris Saint-Germain player and what we will do is improve the team in all areas, we have already worked on that," he explained, avoiding talking about the possible financial concessions Messi would have to make to return to Barca. Laporta recalled that "the club is on an austerity plan". FC Barcelona, which is still waiting for the approval of a viability plan by the Spanish Football League, must save 200 million euros on its wage bill to be allowed to recruit this summer.
At the end of his contract with PSG, Messi reportedly received a salary offer of 500 million euros per year from Saudi club Al-Hilal. "With all due respect to Saudi Arabia, Barça is Barça, and this is their home," Laporta said, adding that he is confident that "we can compete with everyone" to attract the almost 36-year-old Argentine star.