Nike have asked Ansu Fati to give up the #10 shirt should Lionel Messi make a sensational return to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer.
Fati was handed down the revered shirt after Lionel Messi departed Barcelona for PSG following the expiration of his contract in 2021. The youngster had shown signs of being a promising goalscorer and took over the reigns from Messi in October 2021 as he signed a contract extension through 2027.
However, injuries have not allowed Fati to
remain a regular in Xavi Hernandez's starting XI. He has played 15 or fewer
games in each of Barcelona's past two campaigns and has been underwhelming so
far this season. Ansu Fati has scored just seven goals and provided three
assists in 42 appearances across competitions.
As reported by El Nacional, Barcelona
president Joan Laporta and the board are ready to move on from Ansu Fati and
sell him in the summer. Considering Nike's influence at the club and their
long-term working relationship, the brand believes Lionel Messi is the perfect
candidate to make a return and claim what is rightfully his.
The Argentine has stalled contract renewal
talks with current club PSG and Barca are monitoring the situation with their
eyes peeled. It would be a win-win for everyone involved but it remains to be
seen what Lionel Messi decides.
Messi's contract situation with PSG has been
doing the rounds in the news for quite some time as the Argentine has stalled
renewal talks. Former club Barcelona are keen to bring him back to the Camp Nou
but face Financial Fair Play constraints.
However, as reported by Football Daily, the
club are ready to make a request to La Liga to allow them some flexibility.
They believe this will allow them to make a respectable contract offer to
Lionel Messi.
PSG have expressed their desire to retain
Lionel Messi but the player is likely to seek pastures anew. Barcelona seem
like the perfect destination for one last dance but it remains to be seen how
La Liga will deal with their request.
Messi made 778 appearances across
competitions for Barca between 2004-21, scoring a club-record 672 goals and
providing 303 assists. Should he return, expect the move to take the world of
football by storm.
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