BARCELONA are the frontrunners to sign Lionel Messi this summer.
That's according to bookmakers Ladbrokes, who have installed his boyhood club at 6/4 to re-sign the World Cup winner when his PSG contract expires this summer.
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Messi, 35, was already strongly linked with a PSG exit and return to Barcelona, even before he was recently suspended by the French side.
The Argentina flew to Saudi Arabia without permission following his club's home defeat to Lorient on Sunday.
He agreed a £25million deal to promote Saudi Arabia last May, with this being only the second time he's visited the country but it's a move that's saw him frozen out for two weeks by PSG.
Messi has the option to extend his stay for a further 12 months but will be available on a free transfer if no extension is agreed, which now seems likely.
But of course, he won't be without offers across the world.
A reunion with Barcelona has been mentioned time and again despite Barca's financial issues, while there's a strong financial challenge from clubs in the Middle East.
But the Catalan side have are favourites to make a move, with a move to the MLS not too far behind (5/2).
Lionel Messi next club
Ladbrokes odds
- Barcelona 6/4
- Any MLS Team 5/2
- Any Saudi Arabia team 5/2
- Man City 20/1
- Chelsea 25/1
- Bayern Munich 25/1
- Newcastle 33/1
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With reports that Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to quit Al Nassr and the Saudi league, there could be a giant, gaping hole for a sporting superstar.
It was reported last year that Messi had been offered a £350m-a-year deal by Saudi side Al Hilal.
Given his Saudi promotion role for the country, Messi could combine that with a move to a Pro League side and is 5/2 to do so.
Man City and Chelsea are 20/1 and 25/1, respectively, with Bayern Munich at 25/1.
Saudi-backed Newcastle round off the betting at 33/1.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It's looking increasingly likely a sensational Nou Camp return could be on the cards for Lionel Messi, who is now just 6/4 to be playing in a Barcelona shirt next season."
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