Le Parisien: PSG rule out Leo Messi signing

According to the French newspaper 'Le Parisien', PSG have given up on their attempts to sign Argentina striker Leo Messi. According to the report, the Paris club would have sounded out the Barça captain - who has been a free agent since 30 June - to see what their chances were of signing him. After learning of his circumstances, it seems that the French club have now ruled out his signature.

At a time when all Barcelona fans are keen for updates from president Joan Laporta and his board regarding Messi's renewal, the future of the six-time Ballon d'Or winner now seems slightly clearer with a move to the French club now off the cards. According to the French daily, the club "have given up on their dream" of seeing Neymar and Messi line up alongside one another at the Parc des Princes.

Having achieved his dream of winning an international competition with Argentina, Messi now wants to spend a few weeks recharging his batteries. However, he also wants clarity on his contractual situation before he finishes his holiday. Both Messi and Laporta are keen to bring his renewal to a successful conclusion. Due to the circumstances, this renewal now counts as a new signing, complicating all contractual and economic aspects of his extension, in part due to the club's enormous financial issues.

Messi signing unlikely

PSG will be aware that Messi's first choice is to stay at Barça, and they will also know of the difficulties of making such a signing - particularly given their other business this transfer window.

Having extended Neymar's contract until 2025 in May, PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi had dreamed of bringing Messi to play alongside the Brazil striker in the French capital. However, this signing now looks unlikely to materialise.

With the arrivals of Gini Wijnaldum, Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma, and taking into account that Kylian Mbappé is still on the club's books, the French club would struggle to sign Messi without breaching Financial Fair Play rules. This, combined with Messi's preference to remain at Camp Nou, have led to PSG ending their interest in the Barça star.