"It's up to him… I'm speaking with Leo, yes': Barcelona boss Xavi admits he's had talks with Lionel Messi over a sensational return

Barcelona boss Xavi has admitted that he is in talks with Lionel Messi over a potential sensational summer return to the Nou Camp.

The Argentine World Cup winner is expected to leave French champions PSG in the summer when his contract expires at the end of June.

Messi, who turns 36 next month, was suspended by PSG earlier this month for taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, where he serves as an ambassador for the country's tourist board.

Manager Xavi has now admitted that he is in touch with Messi over such a blockbuster move and already devising tactical plans that include the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, having guided Barcelona back to the summit of LaLiga this season.

'I told the president that Lionel Messi return makes sense,' Xavi told Catalan publication Sport. 'No doubts at all, he is perfect for our system and idea. I've the tactical plan in mind with Leo.

'It's up to Leo. I think he has to decide, it's up to him… I'm speaking with Leo, yes.' - Xavi

Lionel Messi, Inigo Martinez and Ilkay Gundogan make up the holy trinity of free transfers that Barcelona want to build their summer around – one legend and two top internationals that will excite supporters and improve the quality of the team that has just won the league.

Making it happen will not be easy and depend largely on how much slack they are cut by La Liga and how successful their attempts at selling players are. 

The club have to make up a £174million <€200m> deficit in order to move with freedom in the transfer market, free from the shackles of La Liga's 40 per cent rule that will otherwise oblige them to spend only £35million <€40m> of every £100million they bring in by either increasing revenue or reducing costs.

The scrapping of in-house TV channel Barça TV saves them 12m euros a year and they announced this week that Ambilight TV will be their shirt sleeve sponsors for three years for £7m <€8m>, £8.6m <€10m> and £10.5m <€12m>.

The news comes in the same week that Jordi Alba has revealed he will leave at the end of this season saving Barcelona a sizeable chunk of the 36m euros they would have had to pay him in gross earnings and backdated salary from the pandemic.

His severance has not been made public but it will only be a fraction of that sum due if he had stayed.