Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi is reportedly leaning towards an exit from the French champions this summer.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner penned a two-year deal at the Parc des Princes upon his arrival in 2021, and those terms are due to expire in under three months' time.
PSG possess the option to trigger a one-year extension in the Argentina international's deal, but the club seemingly have no intention of keeping him on the same terms.
After becoming world champion with Argentina back in December, PSG were said to have been growing in confidence about their chances of signing Messi to a new contract in the French capital.
However, the 35-year-old's future has since become clouded in uncertainty, and he was booed by his own fans during the weekend's Ligue 1 defeat to Lyon at the Parc des Princes.
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PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has vowed to do everything in his power to keep Messi at the club, but according to L'Equipe, a parting of the ways could be on the cards this summer.
Al-Khelaifi and the attacker's father Jorge Messi reportedly held positive talks about a one-year extension during the World Cup break, but those discussions have not materialised into anything more.
Talks are still said to be ongoing, but hopes of the two parties coming to an agreement are now dwindling, and Messi will most likely wave his goodbyes to the French champions in a few months' time.
The Argentine left Barcelona in 2021 amid the Blaugrana's financial crisis - which still inhibits the Catalan club in the transfer market - but he continues to be linked with a sensational move back regardless.
Barca's vice-president Rafa Yuste has revealed that discussions are being held with Messi's entourage, but the Blaugrana's lingering economic concerns could still scupper a deal.
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Clubs in Saudi Arabia and MLS are known to be desperate to prise Messi away from Paris, but the attacker supposedly still wants to compete in the Champions League for the 2023-24 season.
As a result, a new short-term deal at PSG cannot be ruled out, but the Parisiens would require Messi to take a significant pay cut in order to remain at the club.
PSG could ask Messi to slash his salary by as much as 25%, which he would be reluctant to do, but a lack of concrete offers from other Champions League clubs could force his hand.
Messi scored just six Ligue 1 goals in his first season in France, but he has rediscovered his best form to net 18 goals and provide 17 assists in 33 matches during the current campaign.
The ex-Barcelona man now boasts 29 goals and 32 assists from 67 outings for PSG in all tournaments, as Christophe Galtier's side sit six points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table.
Ben Knapton
