Barca and Inter Miami could strike deal for Lionel Messi

A new report suggests that Inter Miami will sign Lionel Messi as a free agent - before loaning the Argentine out to Barcelona.

The future of the World Cup winner is a hot topic among the footballing world, with his imminent exit from PSG raising question marks about his next destination.

Now L'Equipe have put out that they think Inter Miami and Barcelona will team up to create a buy-and-loan deal which would see the MLS team buy Messi before loaning him to the Catalan giants for 18 months.

It is thought the move would benefit Messi, who would be able to maintain a high level of football going into the 2024 Copa America, while also eventually weaving his way to MLS.

It may also solve some of the financial complications which have acted as potential stumbling blocks which might hinder Barcelona's hopes to sign him directly.

There have also been long-standing rumours that Messi will follow long-term professional foe Cristiano Ronaldo into Saudi Arabian football.

There are claims that the Argentine has been offered €1.4bn (£1.21bn) over two years to join - double Ronaldo's Al-Nassr salary.

Earlier this week, Inter Miami fell to the bottom of the MLS's Eastern Conference after a 1-0 defeat to Montreal. Phil Neville's side now have just two wins in their last 12 league outings.

Neville and Miami have made no secret of their desire to bring Messi to Major League Soccer - while Barcelona have also made it publicly known that they are interested in bringing the Argentine superstar back to the LaLiga club two years after his exit.

PSG sealed the Ligue 1 title last weekend, and conclude their season against Clermont Foot on Saturday.