Barcelona is reportedly exploring a sensational move to bring Lionel Messi back to the club, but not until 2026. The Catalan giants have been consistently linked with re-signing their greatest ever player, but no deal has been brokered.
Prior to Messi's move to Inter Miami in 2023, Barcelona reached out to him, but a return was not feasible. Messi has since thrived in MLS, and his current deal with Inter Miami runs until December 2025. He aims to extend his contract to lead Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Messi is determined to play in one more World Cup before retiring, and 2026 is likely to be his swansong with Argentina. After the World Cup, his plans are uncertain, with possibilities including full retirement or a return to Barcelona. Inter Miami is open to keeping him until the end of 2026, but this could disrupt Barcelona's strategy.
According to TNT Sports Argentina journalist Maximiliano Grillo, Barcelona has made initial contacts with Messi's camp as part of a coordinated move. Barcelona acknowledges that Messi will not break his contract in Miami, so they are planning for a potential return in 2026.
The report claims that Barcelona aims to bring Messi "home" ahead of the 2026/27 season, when he will be 39 years old. This move is part of their plan to boost the opening of a revamped Camp Nou. Barcelona hopes to play in their iconic home next season, but the start of the 2026/27 season would provide an opportunity to showcase the new arena.
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Barcelona's pursuit of Liverpool star Luis Diaz just got more interesting, as Arsenal has entered the transfer race.
According to reports, Mikel Arteta is considering a bold offer for Diaz, who has been on Barcelona's radar for some time ¹.
Liverpool is cruising towards the Premier League title, but their squad picture for 2025/26 remains unclear. With key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah yet to commit to contract extensions, the club's plans are on hold. If Salah decides to leave, it could bolster Liverpool's resolve to keep Diaz at Anfield.
Diaz's current contract with Liverpool expires in 2027, but the club may consider selling him this summer to avoid losing him for free in the future. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that Diaz has a "concrete possibility" of leaving Liverpool this summer, with links to Saudi Arabia still in place. However, Diaz prefers to remain in Europe, with Barcelona being his preferred destination ¹.
Arsenal's interest in Diaz adds a new twist to the transfer saga. Arteta is concerned about his team's injury issues and goal numbers, and Diaz's versatility would be a valuable asset. The Colombian winger has already matched his goal total of 13 from 2023/24, making him an attractive target for Arsenal ¹.
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