Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi will not be returning to the club after financial problems prevented them from agreeing with the forward on a new contract.
Messi, 34, has been a free agent since his previous terms expired on June 30, but ESPN revealed in July that a loose agreement over a five-year extension had been reached.
However, Barca have been unable to register Messi's new contract with LaLiga while complying with the league's financial fair play rules. President Joan Laporta will address the situation in a news conference on Friday morning.
Barcelona said in a statement: "Despite having reached an agreement with Messi and with both parties clearly wanting to sign a new contract, it cannot be finalised due to financial and structural problems [rules relating to the Spanish league].
"Given this situation, Messi will not continue his relationship with Barcelona. Both parties lament deeply that the desires of the player and the club cannot be met.
"Barca would like to wholeheartedly thank the player for his contribution to the growth of the institution and wish him the best in his personal and professional life."
Sources at Paris Saint-Germain have told ESPN's Julien Laurens they remain confident the club would still be able to confirm a deal for Messi should he not sign a new deal with Barcelona -- but they are skeptical of that happening, believing the latest move to be a bluff intended to keep him at Camp Nou. Sources have said that Messi's camp made contact with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo after Barca's announcement on Thursday.
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