Lionel Messi's Return to Barcelona Expected to be Announced Soon, Confidence High

According to sources, Barcelona is highly confident that they will be able to announce the return of Lionel Messi soon. The 35-year-old is currently the subject of a tug of war between his former employers and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, as his two-year tenure at PSG is set to end this season. While Al Hilal is offering Messi a contract worth an estimated €400m a year, which would make him the highest-paid footballer of all time, the player reportedly prefers returning to Catalonia.

Messi's representatives, including his father Jorge, have received an offer from Al Hilal, but Barcelona is working towards clearing their financial decks to make room for the footballer. Though they cannot match Al Hilal's offer, sources claim that the club is doing everything they can to balance their finances and make Messi a part of their wage bill once again.

Recently, midfielder Sergio Busquets confirmed his departure from the club, which was considered a significant step in the right direction to pave the way for Messi's return. Barcelona may even consider bids for players such as Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres, all of whom are significant wage earners, with Messi's impending return potentially marginalizing their minutes in the team. Other players may also be required to leave to create space for long-term targets such as Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva from Manchester City.

Despite financial obstacles, President Joan Laporta and the Barcelona team remain confident about their ability to bring Messi back home. According to sources, an announcement regarding Messi's return will be made soon.