"They're really offering him a pretty special project" - Transfer agent hints at Lionel Messi moving to MLS
Jerome Meary, an agent specializing in transfers, has said that there's a chance that Lionel Messi could move to Major League Soccer (MLS) if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi joined Les Parisiens from Barcelona on a free transfer ahead of the 2021-22 season. His two-year contract expires at the end of the season, meaning he could be on the move soon.
PSG are determined to retain the Argentinian's services and have been in talks over a fresh deal. However, with negotiations yet to reach a positive end, there are doubts about the forward's future in Paris.
There's already a lot of talk about where Messi could be headed if he leaves the Parisians this summer. The MLS has been mooted as a potential destination for the former Barcelona superstar.
Meary has now claimed that there's a chance that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner could move to the United States. The agent said that the league is offering Messi an enticing package.
"There's a 10-20% chance of him (Lionel Messi) coming to MLS because they're really offering him a pretty special project," Meary said on TF1.
"Il y a 10-20% qu'il vienne en MLS parce qu'ils sont vraiment en train de lui proposer un projet assez spécial."
Jérôme Meary, agent spécialisé des transferts Europe-MLS, sur Lionel Messi @BastienAL https://t.co/a8eg8VQY3H
Meary suggested that Messi would be offered the chance to own an MLS club in the future, as David Beckham was given when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007, saying:
"Beckham, they managed to bring him in by offering him the possibility of becoming the owner of an MLS franchise. And so, they are going to offer Messi (the opportunity) to become the owner of a potential MLS franchise."
It remains to be seen if the prospect of owning an MLS club entices Messi.
Lionel Messi wanted by David Beckham's Inter Miami
Inter Miami are the only MLS club who have been credited with a serious interest in Lionel Messi so far. It's worth noting that the Herons are partially owned by David Beckham.
Beckham and Co. are determined to lure Messi to the United States. Meary added that Inter Miami representatives were in constant touch with the Argentinian's entourage during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, saying:
"The Beckham clan (Inter Miami) interacted a lot with the Messi clan during the World Cup. I know that MLS are finding solutions to try to bring him in."
While Inter Miami are keen to sign him, Messi reportedly prefers to continue playing at the highest level of Europe.