"Barcelona was unable to make an official offer for Messi during today's meeting [with his agent Jorge Messi]," said Fabrizio Romano.
Romano emphasized that the meeting had been positive, but both sides felt there was not much time left to finalize the deal.
Barcelona have been given the green light to sign players after submitting a viable plan to La Liga. However, there are still complicated details about Messi's transfer.
Barca have yet to decide on the salary they will offer the player as he comes from a €35m-a-year contract at PSG and has been offered 10 times as much to play in Saudi Arabia. What is clear is that Messi wants to play for Barca, as confirmed by his father. But the financial details of the deal remain an obstacle for both sides.
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Ansu Fati's future at Barcelona was the subject of speculation throughout the 2022-2023 season as the youngster did not start at Camp Nou under Xavi.
Barcelona also need to sell during the summer transfer window, for financial reasons, and Fati has been warned to prepare for a departure by The Athletic's Pol Ballus.
"Fati should prepare for the worst," Ballus wrote. “Although the 20-year-old has insisted on staying at Barca, it will take a near miracle for him to play at Montjuic next season, where the club will play temporarily while work goes on at Camp We. "
Xavi became increasingly evasive when asked about Fati's future as the season progressed. The coach even pointed out that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been sold against his will due to the club's financial situation when asked about Fati. Follow the Heavy on Barcelona Facebook page for the latest news, gossip and content!
Xavi talks about Ansu Fati's future
Fati ended the season with a high score. The youngster scored in Barcelona's 1-2 loss to Celta Vigo in the final game of the season. His goals mean Fati has now scored 10 goals in all competitions this season.
Only Robert Lewandowski has scored more goals for Barcelona in the current campaign, and Fati has scored in a season where he spent most of his time on the bench and started just 14 times for Xavier's side.
Xavi praised Fati's contribution after the win over Celta but went on to explain that it does not mean he will stay at Camp Nou, as Ballus reports. "I think his season has been good," he explained. "He scores goals, assists and is important sometimes. Why isn't he unsellable? Well, this week we'll know more about what we need to do.
Lionel Messi replaces Ansu Fati?
Fati's future could also be affected by the possible return of Lionel Messi. The World Cup winner's father has admitted the Argentina international is keen to return to Camp Nou this summer, as reported by ESPN.
"Of course he [Messi] really wants to return to Barcelona. I want that too. We'll see," he told reporters after meeting with club president Joan Laporta.
Messi's departure from Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed, as the striker played his last game for the club in a 2-3 Ligue 1 loss to Clermont Foot. However, Barcelona still had to sell off to make room for Messi, which could be bad news for Fati. The striker remains one of the club's most easily sold assets as he is only 20 years old and has graduated from the club's academy.
Both Xavi and Laporta say the club want Fati to stay, but the club's financial situation means that sacrifices and tough decisions may have to be made during the summer transfer window.
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