Barcelona have been active in the transfer market despite their financial troubles and it now appears as though Xavi is planning a stunning return for Lionel Messi.
Messi wanted to stay at the Camp Nou last summer, but La Liga regulations meant it was impossible for Barcelona to re-sign the star due to issues with their current wage bill - and it was not possible for the Argentine to take a substantial wage cut. A lot has changed since Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain and Xavi is plotting an unlikely return for the Barcelona legend.
Xavi is putting together a proposal to the Barcelona board that would see Messi retire at the club like initially planned, according to SPORT. The Barcelona boss still feels as though Messi can offer the club a lot and if a deal can be worked out, the Argentine may be granted his wish to retire at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona have already signed four new players this summer as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha have arrived for a combined £90million, while both Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen have joined on free transfers. The Catalan side have managed to offload Philippe Coutinho, Clement Lenglet and Francisco Trincao to adjust their wage bill, but they remain in a dangerous position.
A deal to sell 10 per cent of their La Liga TV rights has given the club funds to use in the short-term, but there are still doubts over the stability of Barcelona in the future. However, Xavi is taking the opportunity to try and get Messi back to the club after the Argentine joined PSG last summer.
Messi gave a tearful interview after it was revealed that his time at Barcelona was up and it was clear to see the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was devastated by the news. "To this day, when I watch the games, it makes me want and remember things from matches at the Camp Nou, with the people," An emotional Messi said.
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"It is reliving a little of everything that was. What is for sure is that we are going to live in Barcelona again and that our life will be there. It's what my wife wants and what I want. I do not know what happens when my contract with Paris ends.
"I always said that I would love to be able to help the club in a useful way. I would love to be a technical secretary at some point. I don't know if it will be at Barcelona or not."
But Messi may be in luck as Xavi looks to help out his friend and former teammate, whether it be this summer or next. Messi's contract at PSG expires at the end of next season and he could be offered an ideal move back to Barcelona.
However, for now, Messi appears to be happy with life in Paris. "It was a big change that, as I said at the time, I did not imagine," Messi said.
"Luckily I am settled, the children are already in school, we now have a day-to-day routine. We are also enjoying this city, which is wonderful despite the weather. We are happy."
Messi scored 11 goals in 34 games for PSG last season but took a while to adjust to his new role after spending the entirety of his playing career at Barcelona. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are getting back to their best after dealing with the departures of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Argentine may still return.
