Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly offered himself to PSG after handing in a transfer request at Manchester United, but eternal rival Lionel Messi is still the Ligue 1 giants' top priority
Lionel Messi remains Paris Saint-Germain 's top priority after the club rejected the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
While the 35-year-old's first season in the French capital was more challenging than many anticipated, Messi still notched 11 goals and 15 assists as PSG reclaimed the Ligue 1 title at a canter. With the Argentine's £617,000-a-week contract set to expire in 12 months' time, the Parisians are preparing to offer him a new deal in a bid to keep him at the Parc des Princes beyond next June 2023.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, PSG have told Messi that they'd like him to remain in France until 2024, although a formal offer is yet to be made. It's added in the report that the French champions would have to wait until after the World Cup later this year before their superstar makes a decision. But what's already been decided is their stance on his eternal rival, Ronaldo, who recently offered himself to PSG after handing in a bombshell transfer request at Manchester United
Despite their eye-watering cash reserves, the Ligue 1 giants don't have room in their wage budget to afford Ronaldo, nor would it be wise for the team to harbour another ageing forward who needs catering to - just like Messi. PSG are instead looking to the future this summer when it comes to signings, as opposed declining superstars, having seen how Sergio Ramos also struggled in his first term.
Ronaldo's desire to leave Old Trafford and still compete at the top of European football hasn't been met by an adequate suitor thus far, with agent Jorge Mendes scrambling around the transfer market to find his client's next destination. The 37-year-old is desperate to play Champions League football, explaining why Chelsea and Bayern Munich - both clubs who Mirror Football understands are not interested in signing him - have also been contacted by his trusted agent.
New United manager Erik ten Hag, at least publicly, is still planning to have Ronaldo in his squad for the 2022-23 campaign, despite the ex- Real Madrid talisman's absence from pre-season due to "family reasons."
Cristiano Ronaldo wishes to leave Manchester United less than 12 months after signing a two-year deal at Old Trafford.
The striker has not travelled with Erik ten Hag’s pre-season tour squad due to family reasons, but has become unsettled at the prospect of staying on for another year. Ten Hag attempted to cool talk on Monday by revealing he had spoken to Ronaldo and that he was part of his plans. Nevertheless, some believe an exit is on the cards
PSG are ready to extend Lionel Messi’s stay at the Parc des Princes, according to Marca.
The 35-year-old’s deal with the Parisians will run out next summer. Contrary to some reports, the Argentinean’s contract doesn’t contain the option for an additional year. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to be handed a new deal, although there’s every intention of keeping him in Paris.
Messi arrived at the Parc des Princes last summer at the end of his previous contract with Barcelona. While he has been a shadow of his former self on the pitch - scoring only 11 times across competitions - the Argentinean has been highly influential off it. The 35-year-old has helped the French giants achieve unprecedented commercial success in the last year
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