'We will do everything we can to bring Lionel Messi back': Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists

 

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has said he will do everything in his power to bring Lionel Messi back this summer.

Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer when his contract expires, and is still considering his next move.

However, Barcelona's financial situation means a lot will have to come into place for a move to materialise.

The Catalan giants must lower their wage bill by a reported £180m if they are to make any significant signings.

And Laporta has said the club will do whatever it takes, telling Jijantes FC that 'we will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona.'

He continued: 'We are already working on next year's team. We hope to be able to reinforce the team,' he said.

'We are in an austerity plan at the club to be able to have enough fair-play to allow us to improve the team. We are doing our homework to be able to have an even more competitive team next season.'

Laporta also paid tribute to Xavi, who has now won the league in Spain as both a player and a manager following Barcelona's 4-2 win against Espanyol on Sunday.

'Xavi has been decisive. Apart from his knowledge of football, he has knowledge of the institution, of the style,' he added.

'He has worked hard so that we can offer quality football. He has been decisive. He deserves congratulations. We have a great coach. We are very happy.'