Lionel Messi camp deny PSG star has agreed move to Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi’s father has denied reports the World Cup winner has agreed to sign for any club next season, after it was claimed on Tuesday that a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia was “a done deal”.

News agency AFP reported that Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30, had accepted an “exceptional” offer bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.

Al Hilal, the current Saudi champions and record four-time winners of the Asian Champions League, have been cited as the likely destination.

Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, a source said: “Messi is a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season. The contract is exceptional. It's huge. We are just finalising some small details.”

However, later on Tuesday, Messi’s father released a statement on his Instagram account denying the report. The Argentina captain, 35, has been linked with a number of clubs once his PSG contract concludes, including former employers Barcelona and Inter Miami in the US.

“There’s absolutely nothing with no club for next year,” Messi Snr wrote. “The decision will not be taken before Lionel finishes the league with PSG. Once the season is finished, that will be the time to analyse and see what there is, and then take a decision.”