Lionel Messi makes transfer decision after jaw-dropping ‘£1.2bn’ offer - Sources

Lionel Messi will not be leaving Inter Miami to join a Saudi Pro League club anytime soon after he turned down a whopping £1.2billion contract offer from Al Ittihad.

Messi‘s magical career has continued to reach new heights in the MLS, after he led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup triumph against Vancouver Whitecaps last month.

The legendary Argentine has racked up 121 goal contributions in just 88 games for the Florida-based side since his 2023 move from Paris Saint-Germain.

He remains one of the world’s best players, even at 38-years-old, with speculation around his future rife following the end of the MLS campaign in December

Messi is not set to leave Miami anytime soon though, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, after he turned down a mammoth contract offer to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia before he moved to the USA.

Messi to stay in Miami after rejecting huge Saudi offer

Al Ittihad president Anmar Al Haili recently revealed that Messi rejected an offer of €1.4 billion (£1.2b) to join the club in 2023 before he moved to Miami, citing family reasons.

Messi signed a new contract with Miami in October to tie his future down until 2028, and a move to the Middle East looks as unlikely as ever right now.

Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Nope. Simple as that, don’t think it’s going to happen. I think it’s a bit of a non-event.

“He remains committed to Inter Miami. He’s the star man there, he is heavily involved with the club, and obviously had a great season last year when they won the MLS Cup for the first time in their history as well.

“The links with the Saudi Pro League are never going to go away. And obviously it’s been claimed that he turned down an offer of £1.2 billion, which is crazy when you think about it. 

“But look, Messi is all in at Inter Miami. He has got no plans to leave anytime soon.”

Messi could move to the Premier League if he wants to leave Miami

Messi is clearly planning on playing into his 40’s, and it would not be a surprise to see him keep going for a few years beyond the end of his current contract expiry in 2028.

He has long been touted to move to the Premier League, after a move to Man City was close in 2021 amid Barcelona’s financial issues.

City were the favourites to be Messi’s next club in November, as they are likely the most capable of paying the type of wages he would want, but other sides have been mooted to sign him soon.

The latest markets have Liverpool as the favourites to sign Messi next, among Premier League clubs, at odds of 8/1 ahead of City at 10/1, but Barcelona are still out in front overall, at odds of 4/1 right now.

The post Lionel Messi makes transfer decision after jaw-dropping ‘£1.2bn’ offer - Sources appeared first on Football Insider.