Lionel Messi transfer to Saudi Arabia, a "done deal"

Lionel Messi's days at PSG might be more than numbered judging by the latest reports. After spending last week mired in a rash of negativeness following his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia, Messi might have actually sealed a deal with one of the Middle Eastern country clubs already.

According to the Agence France-Presse, in a tweet published on Tuesday morning, a "source close to the negotiations" told AFP that "Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season." Said source quoted the deal as "huge," which aligns with earlier reports claiming that the country was thinking about offering Messi a contract paying him in the ballpark of €500-600m per year.

This news come right after L'Equipe revealed that Saudi Arabia's government is, in fact, willing to do whatever it takes to poach and bring Messi to the Arabian Peninsula as soon as next summer.

The government, supposedly by way of using Al-Hilal as its operating machine, has reportedly targeted a number of players to sign next summer in order to convince Messi to join them in Saudi Arabia.

Messi returned to training at PSG before completing his two-week suspension for his controversial trip to Saudi Arabia, which was seemingly lifted by the Parisian club ahead of time in order to avoid further PR-damage inflicted on the PSG brand.

French newspaper Le Parisien reported that Messi's apology was well-received by the club's management and that they had reduced his suspension from the initially scheduled 15 days reasoning the decision under Messi's "good behavior."

Additionally, L'Equipe reported that the club's leaders did not want the media controversy to persist and last longer than needed.

Messi's future in Europe is uncertain as there has been no massive interest from any team playing in the old continent that can offer him what he wants, Jonathan Johnson revealed in his latest newsletter published Friday, May 5th.

Back then, there already were speculations of potential interest in acquiring the low-form superstar coming from Al-Hilal and former club Barcelona, although the latter is experiencing Financial Fair Play problems and it would take a miracle for them to land Messi without having to sell half of their team, three-quarters of the Spotify Camp Nou, and (probably) wearing all-white kits.

Inter Miami has also shown interest, but a move to the MLS club and the United States may not happen immediately as Messi is keen to stay in Europe and play in the Champions League for another season or two.

It remains to be seen where Messi's future will take him, but the AFP is known to be dead serious and reliable when releasing information, let alone when it's just based on rumors and speculation.

This new development surely merits tracking to see where it ends and whether it ends up being true or not that Messi lands in Saudi Arabia--only for good this team.