Spanish giants Barcelona recently faced their second consecutive UEFA Champions League elimination after losing to Bayern Munich 3-0 in their fifth match of the UCL 2022-23 group stage. Following the UCL exit, the Catalan giants are reportedly looking to bring back the legendary forward, Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou as early as the January transfer window.
After having a below average first season, the record seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi is currently experiencing a great season at the French champions Paris Saint-Germain with 11 goals and 12 assists in 16 matches across all European competitions.
A recent report from the Spanish newspaper, SPORT suggested that Barcelona President Joan Laporta is considering to make an attempt to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window itself.
Messi won't return to Barcelona in January
Football journalist Ben Jacobs rubbished the reports of Barcelona signing Lionel Messi in January and took to Twitter and stated that the Argentine captain will not leave mid-season. He wrote, "No truth in Barcelona signing Lionel Messi in January. Messi will decide on his future after the World Cup but no chance he will leave mid-season even if he chooses not to renew with PSG."
Messi joined PSG on a free transfer in 2020-21 summer after the Blaugrana were forced to see him leave due to financial crisis and the Argentine captain's contract with the Ligue 1 giants will expire at the end of this season. However, Barcelona are expected to offer a deal for one of the greatest all-time footballers in the winter transfers as it would allow the Spanish club to spend the entire money they earned into player signings.
As compared to the winter transfer window, the clubs are allowed to spend only a quarter of their earning through the signings, which will make it difficult for Barcelona to sign the 35-year-old Argentine great.