Lionel Messi's Transfer To Saudi Arabia Is "A Done Deal", Claims French News Agency

Lionel Messi will be playing in Saudi Arabia next season, according to news agency AFP. Messi's transfer from Paris Saint-Germain is said to be "a done deal".

Lionel Messi will reportedly be playing in Saudi Arabia next season after a source in the nation told French news agency AFP that his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain was "a done deal".

Messi, 35, will be out of contract at PSG in June and will therefore be available on a free transfer before the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

AFP tweeted on Tuesday: "Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season, a Saudi source close to the negotiations has told #AFP, calling the deal 'huge'.

"The departure of the Argentine footballer is 'a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia', said this source on condition of anonymity."

PSG were asked to comment on this news, but the club said only in a short statement that Messi was under contract until June 30.

Le départ du footballeur argentin est "une affaire conclue. Il jouera en Arabie saoudite", a affirmé cette source sous couvert d'anonymat. Sollicité par l'AFP, le club parisien s'est borné à rappeler que le contrat de Messi courait jusqu'au 30 juin 2/2

— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) May 9, 2023

AFP did not confirm what team Messi will be playing for in the Saudi Pro League next season, but the Daily Mail report that he will join Al-Hilal on a contract worth £522 million ($658m).

Al-Hilal will be able to sign players again this summer after serving a transfer ban.

This punishment came after Al-Hilal handed a new contract to Mohamed Kanno last year despite an agreement previously being in place for him to join Al Nassr.

It has been widely reported that Cristiano Ronaldo would likely have signed for Al-Hilal earlier this year, instead of Al Nassr, had the transfer embargo not been in place.

Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in 13 league matches since joining Al Nassr but it is unlikely to be enough to fire his side to title glory.

Al-Ittihad are currently five points clear of second-placed Al Nassr with four rounds of fixtures remaining.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal sit fourth in the table.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to go head to head in the Saudi Pro League next season :: IMAGO/Power Sport Images/Stringer

Messi flew to Saudi Arabia last week as part of his $30m-a-year role as an ambassador for the country's tourism board.

He was suspended by PSG for two weeks after failing to get permission to miss training ahead of the trip.

But PSG allowed Messi to return to training on Monday after he issued a public apology.

PSG have four games remaining this season, starting with a home match against Ajaccio on Saturday.

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