Paris Saint-Germain has acknowledged that a move for Barcelona star Lionel Messi would prove “impossible” this summer due to the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, according to L'Equippe. PSG was one of the three giants originally vying for Messi's services along with frontrunner Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Lionel Messi shocked the sports world after the requested a transfer — via burofax, no less — hoping to use the opt-out clause in his contract. However, Barcelona sees it very differently, as the opt-out clause given after every season clearly stipulates a July 10 deadline.
The Argentine is reportedly ready to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to facilitate his exit from the club, but Barcelona lawyers are confident the club would walk away victorious, should a lawsuit arise.
PSG maintains that Messi's basic wage of €71 million is unaffordable for the club, especially considering the losses the club has taken due to the coronavirus pandemic. Messi earns even more than the aforementioned salary when signing, staying, and winning titles are taken into account in his bonus structure.
The Ligue 1 champions already boast two world-class stars in Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, who earn less money in a year combined that Messi does.
Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona with a world-record €222 million transfer in 2017, which was followed by Mbappé's signing from Monaco the following year for €180 million.
Lionel Messi would command a behemoth €700 million to trigger his release clause, and the Argentine star earns over €565,000 a week — an amount that would cripple the side in terms of Financial Fair Play rules.
PSG would have to not only wait until Lionel Messi is able to leave on a free transfer, but also hope the Argentine star is willing to make concessions in his salary structure to put him next to former running mate Neymar and world champion Mbappé in that attacking trident.
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