Arsenal urged to pull off audacious swoop to sign PSG attacker who will ‘guarantee 30 goals’

Lewis Oldham
Arsenal told to sign Messi

Arsenal have been encouraged to pull off an audacious swoop to sign PSG forward Lionel Messi, who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season.

Messi joined PSG in 2021 from Spanish giants Barcelona. He is expected to leave the Ligue 1 outfit this summer as they reportedly ‘do not plan’ to offer him a new contract.

The World Cup winner was suspended earlier this month after going on an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has grabbed 20 goals and 19 assists in 38 appearances for PSG this season. He returned to action last weekend during his side’s 5-0 league win over AJ Ajaccio.

Aged 35, Messi is nearing the end of his career but ex-Man Utd forward Louis Saha thinks he can be an “Arsenal-type player”.

The pundit thinks Messi could still “guarantee 20-30 goals per season” and it would be “exciting” to have him in the Premier League.

“Lionel is a very smart player and can be an Arsenal-type player,” Saha told OLBG. “He will have to have a manager that realises he is not going to run all day. Do Arsenal [sic] the players that can do the Xavi and [Sergio] 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.”

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Messi is unlikely to be heading to the Premier League as he is being targeted by Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.

Saha thinks Messi still has “a lot to offer” so he should not secure himself a move to Saudi Arabia just yet.

“Lionel Messi is going to Saudi Arabia way too soon. He still has a lot to offer any club. I say the same for Cristiano as well,” Saha added.

“It will be great for the country to have that attention. In this industry people can be mean, and demanding. They won’t respect their legacy as much, so they should always try to protect it themselves.

“Don’t sacrifice your legacy for things you want now. I will never understand why Ronaldo went and I will ask the same question of Messi if he goes as well. Their legacies took 20 years to build, it doesn’t make sense!

“These guys are the best ambassadors of football and for so many children. They are icons who should be respected and protected by the countries that love football.

“They motivate kids and people to work harder and want to play football. They shouldn’t be on display for all those who jump on the bandwagon and criticise them.’’

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