Barcelona 'launch Messi offensive as they look to convince Argentine superstar to return as a free agent this summer'... as contract extension talks with PSG falter 

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Barcelona will look to heavily target former star player Lionel Messi as his contract with Ligue 1 Paris Saint-Germain is set to end in this summer with no sign of extension, according to reports. 

The legendary No 10 left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 after negotiations on a new deal with the Catalan club were complicated by Barca's extensive financial issues. 

Messi's tearful departure after 21 years at the club made no secret of the fact the decision had been taken out of his hands, and after only two years in Paris, Barcelona are preparing an 'offensive' to try and bring the player back to Catalonia. 

As per Mundo Deportivo, the club believes the player is ripe for a return after negotiations with his current club stalled, in part thought to be due to a cost-cutting effort to avoid picking up FFP sanctions. 

The 36-year-old is on a £740,000-a-week contract that is due to expire on June 30. 

THE MESSI OFFENSIVE: The No 10 is heavily targeted by Barca as PSG contract looks set to end

THE MESSI OFFENSIVE: The No 10 is heavily targeted by Barca as PSG contract looks set to end

THE MESSI OFFENSIVE: The No 10 is heavily targeted by Barca as PSG contract looks set to end

The World Cup winner has been at Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain for just under two years

The World Cup winner has been at Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain for just under two years

The player's tearful exit in August 2021 showed his unwillingness to leave Barcelona

The player's tearful exit in August 2021 showed his unwillingness to leave Barcelona

Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, under whose second spell at the helm at the club Messi left, is said to have held talks with the player's father and agent, Jorge Messi. 

Initially, an hour-long meeting between the pair was set up to discuss a potential tribute match for the former Blaugrana. 

But although there have been no subsequent meetings, it is thought that Laporta may have begun his strategy for luring Messi back to the Camp Nou, aided by the president's brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarria. 

The business man, who was previously married to Laporta's sister Constanza, is an influential figure at the club, who has worked successfully in the shadows of the Barcelona hierarchy for some time, despite having no official role. 

Encouragement for Messi to rejoin the club is also coming from those who have played with him at Barcelona, both past and present.  

Messi's former team-mate Xavi, who now manages the LaLiga leaders is advocating for the player's return both publicly, and behind the scenes. 

In February, the manager said that he was in 'constant contact' with the PSG man, and that Barcelona's 'doors are always open' for the Argentine. 

Joan Laporta (centre) is heavily in favour of reuniting Messi with his old club (pictured in 2009)

Joan Laporta (centre) is heavily in favour of reuniting Messi with his old club (pictured in 2009)

Xavi would like to manage his former team-mate, and stressed the pair's 'constant contact'

Xavi would like to manage his former team-mate, and stressed the pair's 'constant contact'

The players saw myriad successes at Barcelona, playing together between 2004 and 2015

The players saw myriad successes at Barcelona, playing together between 2004 and 2015

But Barcelona are still in financial turmoil, with players like Gavi unable to be registered

But Barcelona are still in financial turmoil, with players like Gavi unable to be registered

Crucially, Messi has continuous ties to his former team-mates and their families, such as Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets; Messi's wife, Antonella Rocuzzo, is also close to Roberto Lewandowski's wife Anna, although the players never overlapped during their respective tenures at Barca.  

However, despite positive noises, Barcelona's stumbling blocks are the financial straits that the club continues to be mired in – the club is aiming to reduce its wage bill by £177million to comply with league rules. 

The situation is further complicated by the club's inability to register Gavi, Ronald Araujo and summer recruit Marcos Alonso. 

Whilst it's believed that Messi could take a pay cut to once again turn out in red and blue, the additional complexities could yet prove a fatal stumbling block in the club's plans. 

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