Ex-Barcelona coach and PSG superstar Lionel Messi close to sealing deal with Saudi side Al-Hilal - Reports
Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal could pull off a massive coup as they close in on signing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Lionel Messi and former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, according to Saudi Gazette.
Al-Hilal are expected to have a massive summer transfer window ahead of the 2023-24 season. The Riyadh-based club are looking to bring in a massive player and a managerial name ahead of the new campaign.
According to the aforementioned source, Luis Enrique is one of Al-Hilal's major managerial candidate. The 53-year-old tactician was last seen managing the Spain national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His side were knocked out of the tournament by Morocco in the Round of 16 stage.
Luis Enrique is one of the most prominent names in the managerial space who is currently without a job. The Spaniard was also linked with a move to become the next Chelsea manager before pulling out of the race.
Enrique could be reunited with his former Barcelona star Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia should things go as planned.
According to Saudi Gazette, the Argentine skipper has been offered a £320 million per annum salary to sign for Al-Hilal at the end of his PSG contract this summer. Messi's father Jorge has reportedly already informed the Parisian giants that his son will not pen a new deal as they are not convinced by the club's sporting project.
Al-Hilal, however, are not the only side interested in signing Lionel Messi on a free transfer. Inter Miami and Messi's former side Barcelona are also reportedly in the race to sign the Argentine. The La Liga side though need to sort their financial situation before they can bring their record goalscorer back at the Nou Camp.
It is worth mentioning that Messi already has a connection with Saudi Arabia. He is currently their tourism ambassador and recently visited the country along with his family. The forward, however, received a two-week suspension from PSG as he left without the club's permission.
Despite serving a suspension, Lionel Messi is still focused on guiding his side to the Ligue 1 title before making his decision regarding his next move in the summer.
Luis Enrique and Lionel Messi had a successful time together at Barcelona
Lionel Messi and Luis Enrique achieved a lot together whilst their time at Barcelona. Under the Spanish tactician, the Blaugrana went on to win the treble in 2015, beating Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final.
Overall, Enrique guided Barcelona to two La Liga titles, three Copa Del Rey cups, one Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Under Enrique's leadership, Lionel Messi played 158 times for Barcelona and went on to contribute 153 goals and 75 assists across all competitions. He formed a deadly partnership with fellow attackers Luis Suarez and his current PSG teammate Neymar under Enrique's management.