Xavi eager for Messi to make Barca return

Xavi has given a strong indication Barcelona will make a sensational move to sign Lionel Messi next year.

Barca boss Xavi stated earlier this week that it would be “impossible” for the Catalan giants to bring club legend Messi back to Camp Nou during this transfer window, given he is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentina captain joined PSG on a two-year deal last year after sensationally ending his 21-year stay with the Blaugrana, who could not afford to keep him.

Barca president Joan Laporta on Thursday declared that he thinks the LaLiga giants “will make this aspiration a reality” when asked about the prospect of signing Messi.

Xavi wants his former team-mate to return to Barcelona, but says it will not happen while he is contracted to the Ligue 1 champions.

He said: “Now he has a contract, it’s a utopia, we’re going to focus on this year. Obviously, I would like Leo’s time at Barca not to end the way he did and for him to have one last chance to say goodbye as the best in history.

“Of course I would like to, yes, I would like it to happen, but he has a contract.”

Xavi has been given great backing in the transfer market ahead of the 2022-23 season, with Barca splashing out on Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde

Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen have also arrived on free transfers and Xavi wants further additions.

He said: “Everything that is reinforced is good. I already said that there should be two players per position, more this year with the World Cup.

“We need footballers to compete and to be better. Yes, we want to reinforce ourselves more, the more the better.”