Barcelona need to make 2 sacrifices to facilitate PSG superstar Lionel Messi's return: Reports
Barcelona will reportedly have to sacrifice two first-team players in order to welcome back Lionel Messi in the upcoming summer transfer window. Jordi Alba and Raphinha will have to be sold in the summer to make space in the squad and the wage bill.
As per a report in El Nacional, Barcelona are inching closer to getting Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou. However, they are not there yet as they are still a few millions away from the La Liga limit.
The report claims that Alba and Raphinha will have to be sold in the summer to get within the limits. Xavi has frequently used both players this season, but they are not among the players the club deems untouchable.
Alejandro Balde has all but replaced Alba as the first-choice left-back at Camp Nou. The youngster has done well this season and is touted to be the future of the club.
Alba has made 23 appearances for Barcelona in the league this season, out of which only 13 have come from the start. The Spanish left-back has registered two goals and three assists in the league.
Barcelona hijacked Chelsea's deal for Raphinha last summer and sealed the €58 million move from Leeds United. He has done well in his first season at the club, but reports suggest the Brazilian winger's attitude issue is a concern for the Blaugrana.
Raphinha has scored seven goals and assisted as many times in his 33 La Liga appearances this season.
Will Lionel Messi rejoin Barcelona this summer?
Lionel Messi is running down his contract at PSG and will become a free agent in the summer. He has been in talks with Barcelona and the Catalan side's vice-president, Rafa Yuste, said earlier today (via BarcaTimes):
"I would love to see Messi come back, all beautiful stories must have the best ending."
Earlier in the season, he said:
"We've been in contact with Leo Messi's camp. Leo knows how much we appreciate him and I'd love for him to come back. For sure Messi loves Barça and the city, so we hope to find the right conditions to continue his history here."
Lionel Messi also has offers from Al Hilal and Inter Miami, but reports suggest he is interested in moving back to Camp Nou.