Laporta claims 'Messi wants Barça' and confirms talks | OneFootball

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed Lionel Messi wants to return to the club after revealing he has held conversations with the 35-year-old.

Messi left the club for Paris Saint-Germain almost two years ago when his contract expired and Barça could not register him with a new one due to the club’s financial issues and LaLiga regulations.

The Argentine, who was booed this weekend as he returned from a suspension handed to him by PSG, is now widely expected to leave the French capital this summer after two seasons and Laporta has told Catalonian station TV3 that Messi wants to return to Camp Nou.

“I’ve spoken with Leo, it was very nice,” Laporta said.

“We have recovered the relationship. Messi wants Barça, he feels this club is his home.”

Messi has also been linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia but Laporta, speaking after Barcelona sealed the LaLiga title on Sunday, was bullish on the prospect of a sensational return for the forward.

“Barça is Barça. In Saudi Arabia, they are doing a good job, investing, but I insist: Barça is his home.”

Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, Messi has 15 goals and 15 assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season as PSG close in on the Ligue 1 title.