Lionel Messi and former teammate Sergio Busquets are on the verge of a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, according to the UK’s Daily Express.
The World Cup winner is expected to leave French side PSG when his contract expires in the summer and has been repeatedly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
With few sides able to afford the former Barcelona player’s astronomical wages, the 35-year-old is tipped to follow long-time rival to Riyadh.
Messi to Saudi Arabia
The Express report cites Spanish TV outlet El Chiringuito in saying a deal has been agreed for Messi to dismiss a return to Barcelona and an ambitious approach from Inter Miami in the US.
Instead, he will sign a two-year deal worth $660m to join Saudi club Al Hilal. As the most decorated team in Saudi Arabia Al Hilal has 65 trophies and the reputation as the biggest football club in the Kingdom.
In a further twist in a transfer saga that has been rumbling since before Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-profile move to Saudi Arabia, Messi may lure another famed teammate to join him in Al Hilal colours.
Busquets, himself a World Cup winner with Spain and eight-time La Liga champion with Barcelona, is also out of contract in the summer and free to move a club of his choice.
He could be persuaded to join friend and former teammate Messi for a final payday from a free-spending Saudi side.
Switching to join the prolific forward at Al Hilal would be a blow for Ronaldo’s Al Nassr who had hoped to sign Busquets themselves.
El Chiringuito also claimed another Barcelona alumni, Jordi Alba will make a trio of legends from the Spanish club to be heading to Saudi Arabia.
The suspension has now been lifted and Messi is free to play for PSG once again.
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