Reports continue to link Lionel Messi with a move to Saudi Arabia or a Barcelona comeback when he leaves PSG this summer, but one Premier League icon believes Arsenal will make for a good fit.
Louis Saha has backed Lionel Messi to prolong his career among Europe’s elite (Image: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images)
The fate of Lionel Messi will be arguably the biggest storyline of the summer transfer window – and the soon-to-be free agent has been backed for success at Arsenal.
That’s according to former Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle striker Louis Saha, who believes Mikel Arteta is the kind of manager to get the most out of the Argentina legend. The 2022 World Cup-winner has failed to impress as hoped in his two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, leading to the ‘confirmation’ he’ll depart the club this summer.
Rumours of a return to Barcelona have been mooted for some time, while reports have indicated the 35-year-old could earn around £500million by joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. However, Saha has said a much-anticipated move to England could work in his favour, adding Arteta’s Arsenal could be the right fit.
“Lionel is a very smart player and can be an Arsenal type player,” the Frenchman told OLBG.com. “He will have to have a manager that realises he is not going to run all day.
“Are Arsenal the players that can do the Xavi and Busquets role well? With Messi, you will be guaranteed 20-30 goals per season. He will also assist you in a lot of plays. It’s about finding the right balance which will help him fit in. But Messi will be exciting to have in the Premier League.”
Lionel Messi is due to leave PSG at the end of this season after failing to meet expectations (Image: Getty Images)
The Gunners will have mixed emotions this summer after coming off the back of a campaign where they had looked set to end a 19-year wait for a league title. A late collapse has seen them cede that honour to Manchester City, but there can be no denying Arteta’s fine work in north London.
A reunion with Pep Guardiola at City could raise some serious competition for Arsenal in the event the champions-in-waiting decided they wished to pursue a deal. But while a move to the Etihad Stadium might bring greater assurances of silverware and a few familiar faces, the Emirates project could prove more exciting.
Messi’s exit from the Parc des Princes appeared set in stone after the player was suspended for travelling to Saudi Arabia for promotional duties against the club’s wishes. The seven-time Ballon d’Or-winner was recently booed by PSG fans every time he touched the ball during a recent clash with Ajaccio, signalling a sorry end to his Parisian experiment.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal look a more attractive prospect after coming close to this season’s Premier League title (Image: Getty Images)
Like Ronaldo, Messi could shun Europe’s elite and escalate his earning once more by completing a proposed move to Saudi outfit Al-Hilal. However, Saha has suggested both players are too good for such standards, despite the eye-watering amounts on offer.
source: dailystar.co.uk
