The summer transfer window has closed throughout most of Europe, but there are still moves in the works and plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Barcelona plot Lionel Messi return for proper send-off
Lionel Messi could make a sensational return to Barcelona in the January transfer window, if Inter Miami don’t make the Eastern Conference playoffs.
That’s according to Spanish outlet AS, which has suggested that the 36-year-old World Cup-winner could head back to Spotify Camp Nou in January on loan for a proper send-off at the club where he spent 17 years.
Messi has been keen to return to Camp Nou since his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. Before his move to Inter Miami, Messi admitted he had been in discussions with his former club in Spain, but financial restrictions made a move too complicated.
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Inter Miami are currently seven spots adrift of playoffs line in the standings with only three matches left, though they have at least one game in hand over the teams they need to leapfrog up the table. The MLS regular season ends on Oct. 21, at which point Messi’s season would be over if Miami miss playoffs.
Moreover, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas even hinted that he wouldn’t stand in the Argentine World Cup winner’s way if there was a possibility Messi could seal his dream return to Spain.
The Argentine skipper is contracted to Miami until 2025 but he has already stated he has no interest in extending his stay in the MLS beyond that date, per reports. Messi has also recently been linked with a move to his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys when his stay in the U.S. ends.
