The Paris giants are now the favorites to land their first Champions League title following the close of a stellar transfer window. After signing Sergio Ramos, Gigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, and Gini Wijnaldum, PSG is closing in on Lionel Messi’s transfer. Sources close to Messi claim the deal is almost done.
PSG’s statement this summer sent a strong message to the entire football market and made the French powerhouse the favorite to win the Champions League next season. PSG is now at +200 to lift their first Champions League trophy next year. 2021 finalists City come second at +350, with Bayern Munich third at +600. Liverpool stands at +700 while defending champion Chelsea is regarded as an improbable winner at +900.
PSG played in the Champions League finals in 2020, being narrowly beaten by Bayern Munchen thanks to a goal by Kingsley Coman. Last season, PSG had to accept defeat in the semifinals, with Manchester City winning both legs (2-1 and 2-0).
Madness at the airport, thousands of fans gather to see Messi
Messi hasn’t left Barcelona yet, despite solid reporting that he’s already agreed to a two-year contract with PSG.
Thousands of Paris fans gathered outside the Bourget mini airport to wait for Messi only to be turned away by the airport’s staff who claimed there is no arrival planned for today. French paper Le Parisien also reported that sources in the police department deny Messi is arriving today.
Messi is reported to be earning more than $41 million per year with PSG. The Argentinean has the option to extend his contract for a third year, keeping him at Parc des Princes until 2024, when he’ll turn 37. In his only comment on the matter, Messi said on Sunday that PSG is a possible destination, but that a firm decision hasn’t yet been made.
Bookies have Messi’s transfer to PSG at -1600. A shock return to Barcelona is at +600, with a move to Atletico Madrid at +2100. A return to his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, stands at +2400.