Paris Saint Germain Identify Premier League Attacker As Messi’s Replacement

• Paris Saint-Germain have been listed as potential suitors for Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto
• The 19-year-old is expected to replace seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi by next season
• Messi is expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions at the end of this season when his deal concludes

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in replacing Lionel Messi with Leeds United youngster, Wilfried Gnonto in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Messi reportedly clashed with the PSG hierarchy after he was suspended for two weeks and fined two weeks' wages for an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Argentine superstar is set to become a free agent in the summer, with neither Messi nor the French giants said to be willing to extend his current contract, which expires at the end of the season.

According to Sportskeeda, transfer guru, Dean Jones believes PSG will try to sign 19-year-old Gnonto as the veteran's replacement when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves Parc des Princes.

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The Italian youngster, who is contracted to Leeds until 2027, captured the Parisians' attention following his exploits in the English Premier League, where he has scored four goals in only a few appearances.

Messi could snub Barcelona offer

Meanwhile, Messi is set to reject a fairy tale return to Barcelona this summer, to instead accept a $600 million deal in Saudi Arabia, Forbes reports.

The Catalans are said to be preparing a two-year deal worth $27.6 mil for the veteran - an offer way less attractive financially than what Al-Hilal is putting up to tempt him to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.

Barcelona's current monetary constraints mean they cannot compete with the numbers put up for Messi and may miss out on signing the Paris Saint-Germain forward in the summer.

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Messi blasted over Saudi trip

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Messi being reprimanded by PSG icon, Jerome Rothen, following his unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia recently.

The Argentine sparked fury from the club's hierarchy after travelling to the Middle East on the back of a shock home defeat against lowly Lorient.

Rothen, who has been rather outspoken about the 2022 World Cup winner, did not hold back in labelling Messi's entire PSG stint 'a fiasco'.