Lionel Messi left Barcelona for PSG  in 2021, after he was unable to  renew his contract at the Camp Nou due to the Catalans' financial issues.

Now, as the Argentine nears the end  of his second year in Paris - he’s scored 31 goals in 69 games for PSG so far - he’s considering his next move.

And Barça are making no secret of  their desire to re-sign him. The club  are “in contact with Messi’s camp”, VP Rafa Yuste has acknowledged.

Barcelona’s supporters are hugely excited about the possibility of a Messi return. They chant his name in the 10th minute of every home game.

The chief stumbling block to a  deal is the club’s finances. Messi  would have to take a pay cut to rejoin the 26-time domestic champions.

Barça reportedly sent LaLiga a financial plan for signing Messi in March - but it breached their salary cap. The club are working on revising it.

In the Middle East, Messi has a big-money offer to join Cristiano Ronaldo  in the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal have offered him $400m a season.

Messi has also been offered a new contract by PSG, but he’s waiting to see what the club’s sporting project is going to look like next season.

A Messi return to Barça would change other players’ plans. For example, Blaugrana captain Sergio Busquets would stay at the Camp Nou.

In a viral video, Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently responded with  a  “yes” when asked by a fan if he expects Messi to rejoin the club.