Lionel Messi is set to make a decision on his future. There has been lots of speculation regarding the legendary player's next team, and it appears that there are three clubs in the running to sign him. Soccer betting sites anticipate it will either be former club Barcelona, Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal or MLS franchise Inter Miami.

The betting odds suggest it could be a close run thing to capture the player's signature. Indeed, the bookmakers have often been in disagreement over who is favourite, with La Liga champions Barcelona hoping to welcome back their prodigal son, although there has been a delay in tabling a package.

While Messi’s former team-mate Xavi is manager at Camp Nou, it seems possible that a return to Spain could be very much on the cards. However, some of the betting sites instead think a move to Saudi Arabia is likelier, with the player having recently taken an unauthorised trip to this country in order to hold discussions. There is also the possibility that Inter Miami can come up with a lucrative package to bring the forward to the US.

Is Messi Coming to the End of His Time With PSG?

Lionel Messi arrived at Paris Saint-Germain to a massive fanfare in the summer of 2021, with the South American joining forces with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe as part of a front line that was anticipated could help the French outfit to Champions League success.

However, European dominance hasn’t transpired, with PSG limping meekly out of the competition at the last-16 stage this season after failing to win their group. Messi has struggled to match the sort of numbers that he generated in La Liga on a long-term basis and there are now three clubs who are battling it out for his signature.

Should Messi want to leave PSG but prove unable to return to Barca, there are any number of clubs that will want to land his services. Inter Miami are an ambitious MLS club who are thought to have tabled an offer, while Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are hopeful that the player will join Cristiano Ronaldo in their league.

Barcelona's Prodigal Son Could Be Set for Camp Nou Return

The prospect of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona is an exciting one, but is it realistic? While there are lots of rumours swirling when it comes to the 35-year-old returning to a club where he holds so many scoring records, there might be plenty to be agreed before Barca fans can see arguably the best player of all time lining up for their team once again.

Messi has reportedly held several talks with Barcelona manager Xavi, with the pair having landed so much silverware together for the Catalan outfit during their playing days. It's certainly an advantage to have Messi's close friend in charge at the Camp Nou, and the latest odds at soccer betting apps would attest to that. Xavi is also close to landing a La Liga title with Barcelona this season after a successful campaign.

The key factor is whether Barcelona can make an official bid for their club legend. Financial Fair Play rules mean that Barca have to tow the line on this front, and it will be interesting to see whether they are free from financial constraints in order to proceed. However, the fact that Messi will shortly become a free agent means that no transfer fee will be needed to wrest the player from Paris Saint-Germain.

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Could Al Hilal Swoop for Messi?

There is growing speculation that Lionel Messi will shun former club Barcelona in favour of signing for Al Hilal. The Saudi Arabian club are thought to have held private talks with the most famous player in the world, with a lucrative contract sure to be guaranteed in return for his services.

With Cristiano Ronaldo having enjoyed the high life in this country since December 2022, it's easy to see why Messi might make a similar move at this stage of his career. He is likely to be given all the riches known to any player and also be revered in this football league.

However, much comes down to the sort of legacy that Messi wants to leave, and perhaps he will instead prefer to make a fairytale return to his former club Barcelona. However, Al Hilal want to become the top dogs in the Saudi Arabian top flight and this sort of capture could pave the way for future success.

A Reunion With Pep in Manchester?

If Messi does bid farewell to the French capital, Manchester could be a destination – and not because of the weather. There are several reasons why Manchester City are among the favourites with several football betting sites to sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who would surely stand a better chance of Champions League success at the Etihad Stadium than the Camp Nou next season.

First, Messi has worked with Guardiola before, and the City boss has never been shy in proclaiming his opinion that the Argentina international is the greatest player of all time. Guardiola would surely relish the chance to work with Messi one more time before the latter retires.

Second, City could afford him, even if Messi would need to take a pay cut from the astronomical £500,000-a-week wages he reportedly receives at present. City have tended not to pay huge transfer fees – in relative terms, of course – for players, but they do not mind splashing out on salaries.

And thirdly, a move to City would virtually guarantee more silverware for Messi due to their strength in England and across Europe. At the time of writing, the English champions are competing for the treble this season, and that's a fairly common situation under Guardiola.

America Calling for the Argentine?

“I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there,” Messi said in December 2020. That is significant from a man who, despite his status, tends to keep his private life under wraps. It seems inevitable that Messi will play in MLS one day; the only question is whether this summer is too early or not.

Inter Miami is likely to be his destination if Messi does decide that the United States of America are calling. Despite the franchise having only been established as recently as 2018, it is thought that the club whose president is David Beckham stands the best chance of luring Messi out of all the other outfits in the MLS.

Furthermore, it appears that Inter Miami would even be prepared to offer Messi an equity stake in the club as part of the overall package, and it's clear that this would be the biggest signing in Major League Soccer history. Given the odds at UK betting sites, Inter Miami are a real possibility.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich Could Also Be Keen

Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are all given an outside chance of landing Messi. The Red Devils have made a number of marquee signings in the past few years, with Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to Old Trafford before heading to Saudi Arabia. However, that highlights the club's ability to lure big names, and Casemiro recently made the move to United from Real Madrid.

Chelsea splashed over £500 million this season, and that included signing Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez. Perhaps he could be used to help lure Messi in the direction of Stamford Bridge, although the fact that the Blues aren't likely to be in the Champions League next season is a big negative.

Bayern Munich are the only German club who could realistically tempt Messi with a change of scenery. After all, his next transfer is likely to be his last one before hanging up his boots in Europe, and the Bavarian outfit could be an attractive option to someone who is looking for more silverware.