In a new twist to the ongoing saga surrounding Lionel Messi’s future, the Argentine superstar has reportedly given FC Barcelona a strict deadline of 10 days to confirm their ability to bring him back to the Camp Nou. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that Messi will sign a contract within that timeframe, it does indicate his desire for Barcelona to expedite the process and provide reassurances that his return would comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Barcelona has recently submitted a “viability plan” to La Liga, outlining their strategy for the upcoming season. La Liga authorities had requested the club to reduce their expenditures by 200 million euros, and with the departures of Sergio Busquets, Gerard Piqué, and Jordi Alba, Barcelona has already managed to save 100 million euros in salaries.

However, the club’s revenue will be adversely affected by approximately 50 million euros due to the ongoing renovations at the Camp Nou, which will force them to play their home matches in Montjuïc temporarily.

It is expected that La Liga will approve Barcelona’s plan by next week. Once approved, the club will need to execute the proposed sales and signings outlined in the plan to meet the financial requirements. However, the approval process has experienced delays beyond initial expectations.

Barcelona’s priority, after registering contract renewals for current players, is reportedly to secure the signature of Lionel Messi. The club urges Messi to remain patient as they work diligently to present him with an offer. Nevertheless, Messi’s past experience with the club’s board, who initially promised him a contract and then failed to deliver, has left him cautious about relying solely on promises.

Furthermore, Messi’s camp has made an additional request for a reunion with the iconic number 10 jersey, currently worn by promising young talent Ansu Fati. While Fati could potentially switch to another number to accommodate Messi’s return, there are rumors circulating that Barcelona may opt to sell the young winger instead. As Fati is an academy product, his sale would be recorded as pure income in the club’s financial books, thereby aiding their compliance with Financial Fair Play regulations.

As the clock ticks down on Messi’s deadline, both Barcelona and their ardent fans anxiously await a positive resolution. The club is aware of the urgency and is striving to meet Messi’s expectations. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications not only for Barcelona but for the wider football world, as the prospect of Messi donning the Blaugrana jersey once again hangs in the balance.