Report: Neymar, Di Maria trying to convince Messi to join PSG
Neymar and Angel Di Maria spoke with Lionel Messi over the phone in recent days to sell the Argentine on a move to Paris Saint-Germain, sources told ESPN's Julien Laurens.
PSG have yet to make an offer to Barcelona or reach out to Messi's father and agent, Jorge, according to Laurens. The Ligue 1 giants reportedly believe they can pull off a deal if Messi is allowed to leave Barcelona on a free transfer.
Neymar and Di Maria remain close friends with Messi. The 33-year-old reportedly pushed Barcelona to re-sign Neymar last summer.
However, Manchester City are confident Messi would snub PSG and any other rival to play under Pep Guardiola again, sources told ESPN's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.
Unlike PSG, City are reportedly prepared to pay Barcelona up to €150 million to sign Messi. Barcelona insist a clause allowing Messi to unilaterally terminate his contract has expired and that any team interested in signing the six-time Ballon d'Or winner will have to pay €700 million for his services.
City could offer players in return, but Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, and Riyad Mahrez are apparently off-limits.
Barcelona are trying to do their best to keep Messi. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is reportedly willing to resign if the player decides to stay put. A vote of no confidence has been filed against Bartomeu, and fans have protested against the president outside the Camp Nou.
Messi reportedly informed Barcelona of his intention to leave on Tuesday.