Report: Paris Saint-Germain preparing offer for Lionel Messi

Manchester City have competition in their pursuit of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

On Wednesday, Spanish football insider Veronica Brunati tweeted that Ligue 1 winners and Champions League runners-up Paris Saint-Germain are preparing an offer for wantaway six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. Messi has informed Barcelona he wants out this summer and won't re-sign with the Spanish giants past the 2020-21 campaign.

The 33-year-old has a €700 million release clause attached to his rights but also an out in his deal that allows him to terminate the contract and leave on a free transfer at the completion of any season. Barcelona have reportedly retorted, though, that his opt-out expired on June 10, even though the coronavirus pandemic pushed the 2019-20 calendar back several months.

Brunati added on Wednesday that Barcelona and Messi may come to a compromise that includes the club receiving compensation likely well below the €700 million valuation via a transaction.

PSG employ Neymar, Messi's former Barcelona teammate, and 21-year-old star Kylian Mbappe, but nevertheless found themselves in desperate need of firepower during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final. Adding Messi to the mix could create a more formidable attacking trio than Barcelona's famed "MSN" that included Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Peter Smith of Sky Sports News touched upon this earlier on Wednesday:

"Lionel Messi. Kylian Mbappe. Neymar. It would be the greatest front three in football. Perhaps the most talented frontline ever assembled. And it is a combination PSG's owners will be working out how to make a reality.

"They have already shown they are not afraid of huge - huge - investments in player recruitment when star names become available, forking out £198m for Neymar and £166m for Mbappe, and if Messi is able to escape his Barcelona contract without a transfer fee required, PSG will have the funds to meet his wage demands.

"While the Champions League is a huge focus for Manchester City, it is the focus for PSG, given their already utter dominance of French domestic football. Their defeat in this season's final to Bayern Munich hurt badly but showed they are progressing from a side which fell short year-in, year-out in the knockout rounds to one which can seriously compete for the crown. Perhaps Messi is just what they need to get them over the line."

While City began the midweek as favorites to land Messi before the summer transfer window closes, the blue part of Manchester can't claim to be even the top side in the Premier League at the moment. Like Barcelona, City crashed out of the Champions League in the quarterfinal stage.

PSG, meanwhile, could've been a Messi away from hoisting European club football's top prize last Sunday.