How much Lionel Messi could cost Man Utd or Liverpool as contract offer comes to light
Lionel Messi has agreed to a new lucrative contract, which may have unintended ramifications for Manchester United and Liverpool.
Lionel Messi might wind up costing Manchester United or Liverpool millions if he accepts a rumored £194 million per year agreement to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. His departure would leave PSG looking for a replacement, and Marcus Rashford or Mohamed Salah have both been linked with moves to the French city in the past.
Messi’s contract at PSG is coming to an end, and speculation is widespread that he will depart the club in the summer. Although Barcelona and Inter Miami have been mentioned as possible destinations, recent rumors have linked him with a move to Saudi Arabia.
According to Marca, Al Hilal has offered Messi £194 million per year to join the Saudi Premier League club. The move would rekindle the Argentine’s rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, which they had with Barcelona and Real Madrid for many years.
Messi is also an ambassador for the Saudi Arabia Tourist Board, which may add to the appeal of the offer.
Yet, if the 35-year-old agrees to transfer to the Middle East, he might cause headaches for both Manchester United and Liverpool. If he does depart, PSG will need to replace him, and Rashford and Salah are expected to be on the top of their wanted list.
The Parisians have previously been linked to both individuals, with Rashford receiving more attention in recent months. According to the Mirror, PSG may put United to the test as they attempt to capitalize on the England international’s contract expiration in 2024.
Salah speculation predates Rashford speculation, with Fabrizio Romano among many to link the Egyptian with a move to Ligue 1 in 2021. He was previously considered as a substitute for Kylian Mbappe, so it’s not surprising that they now see him as a replacement for Messi, to whom he is stylistically more comparable.
If either move occurs, it may cost United or Liverpool millions of dollars. Rashford’s contract status and Salah’s age mean they would not command the kind of money required to find a viable successor, forcing both clubs to dip into their reserves to find a player of comparable quality.
It remains to be unclear what Messi will do as he faces a major career decision, with Liverpool and Manchester United fans potentially having a greater stake in what happens next.
