Lionel Messi has agreed to sign a two-year deal worth £25m per year after tax with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Recall that Messi was set to extend his 21-year stay at Barcelona by signing a new five-year deal this summer. But, the club announced on Thursday that “financial and structural obstacles” couldn’t allow the deal to be completed, meaning Messi left as a free agent.
The 34-year-old said he wanted to stay at Barcelona and “did everything” he could to remain at the club, including agreeing to a 50-per-cent wage cut.
However, Barcelona was hamstrung by La Liga’s rules on club spending and even halving Messi’s pay was not enough to ensure he remained at the Nou Camp.
Following this, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner had two other options after leaving Barcelona last week, but has chosen to move to the French club on a deal worth £25m per year after tax, plus bonuses.
Lionel Messi agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a two-year contract.
The 34-year-old will have the option to extend the deal by a third year and will receive a £25m signing-on fee.
Messi is now set to join PSG, with their potential to compete for major trophies – including the Champions League – understood to be a key factor in his decision to move to France.
Culled from Skysport