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Barcelona icon Lionel Messi confirms PSG transfer talks and 'a lot' of rival phone calls
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Lionel Messi confirmed during his emotional Barcelona goodbye that he is in talks over a sensational switch to Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine called on a press conference to address the media and Barcelona fans around the world on Sunday morning, taking the chance to provide some clarity on the events that unfolded as well as his future.
Barcelona sent the world into a state of shock on Thursday when they confirmed Messi would be leaving.
A new contract had been agreed with the player until La Liga's salary cap blocked the formalisation of the deal.
Barca are snowed under financially and there was no room for manoeuvre when Messi's contract was concerned due to the vast number of players on the books at the Camp Nou.
Now Messi is expected to join PSG with negotiations currently underway over an initial two-year contract.
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The 34-year-old has now confirmed he's speaking to the Ligue 1 giants but he says he has also received a host of other offers.
When asked if he's joining PSG, he said: "That is honestly one possibility to reach those heights.
"At the minute, I've got nothing confirmed with anybody.
"Honestly when the press release was published, I had a lot of calls.
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"There are a lot of clubs that are interested.
"At the minute, there is nothing closed but we are talking about a lot of things."
Messi also took the time to clear up any speculation regarding his picture with Neymar, Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria and Marco Verratti.
The Barcelona icon was recently snapped with the four PSG stars while holiday in Ibiza but Messi makes it clear the picture had nothing to do with his future.
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Angel Di Maria posted this picture on Instagram alongside Copa America winners with Argentina Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes. In there is Euro winner with Italy Marco Verratti and Neymar of Brazil. pic.twitter.com/YvdVHLOzGj
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 4, 2021
"Everyone was talking about that picture. It's stupid," he said.
"I was supposed to meet with Di Maria and Paredes in Ibiza. Ney calls me. He said let's talk. Let's do a barbecue at my house, he said. Verratti was there.
"They joked around about me coming to Paris. Just a coincidence."