KEY POINTS

  • La Liga insider Terry Gibson discusses Barcelona's real stance on Lionel Messi
  • Gibson bares Barca has formed a team enough to convince Messi to stay
  • Ronald Koeman insists the Argentine wants to play and win with Barcelona

Despite link-ups with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, Lionel Messi might not be too desperate to leave Barcelona.

Messi’s looming exit is still one of Barca’s major concerns this season. However, things may have gone a lot better between the Argentine and his beloved club.

In a recent talk with Sky Sports’ “Transfer Talk” podcast, transfer insider Terry Gibson, divulges that Messi is not all in on departing Camp Nou.

"The Messi situation hasn't changed,” Gibson revealed. "I'll be honest: I don't see desperation from Messi to leave Barcelona. It's a different project right now--up until the Spanish Super Cup when he lost his temper, things had been going well again.”

"Man City and PSG will still be interested and Messi has a choice, but I still believe there's a possibility he'll stay and become the leader of this vibrant new Barcelona,” he added. “How good will they become in the second half of this season? It will be interesting. Messi can then [make] a judgment.”

Gibson further noted that Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has decided to take a huge risk in forming a team consists of young talents. However, it could be enough to convince the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to stay.

“They have been inconsistent–[Ronald] Koeman has found it difficult in his first season, but he's had a clear-out and he's been bold,” the La Liga expert explained. "Barcelona now has some special young players and that might be enough to convince Messi to hang around a bit longer. He's been in good form and his relationship with Koeman is good--he can see where the club is trying to head.”

“No one has suggested anything about bringing in a new manager,” he continued. “It's been hard for Koeman to win over the fans but people are now seeing that this is a season of transformation and it's going to take time.”

Lionel Messi is La Liga's leading scorer this season with 19 goals
Lionel Messi is La Liga's leading scorer this season with 19 goals AFP / LLUIS GENE

Messi has served his two-game suspension following the incident against Athletic Club.

With Barca set to take on Roya Vallecano on Wednesday, the media has quizzed Koeman to provide an update on Messi’s return to the starting line-up.

“To win things, we need a Messi in shape and at his level,” Koeman recently told Marca. “He really wants to play and win things. He is used to winning titles. He is a winner and wants to play every match. Tomorrow we will have a talk and I will tell them the team. We have to wait until tomorrow to find out."