Paris Saint-Germain are in initial discussions with the agent of a top-class Liverpool star as they look to replace the departing Lionel Messi, according to one source.
Messi joined PSG in August 2021 after Barcelona's financial constrains meant they couldn't keep him in Catalonia. The Argentine forward went on to register 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 matches for PSG, helping them to win two Ligue 1 titles and a French super cup.
One of the main reasons Messi was signed by PSG was to help them win the Champions League for the first time, but they crashed out in the round of 16 both seasons he was on their books. This resulted in a troublesome relationship with the club's supporters, which was made even worse when Messi went on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia and was subsequently suspended.
The World Cup winner soon decided enough is enough and opted to leave PSG on a free transfer. He was linked with a fairytale return to Barcelona, while Al Hilal also tried to take him to Saudi Arabia in a super lucrative deal.
But Messi has instead decided to join David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami. Such a move was attractive to the 35-year-old as he knows Miami well, due to the fact he owns a house there. Messi said he wants to 'live football in a different way' and 'enjoy my day-to-day life more'.
Messi's exit will leave a huge hole in the PSG attack. They might also have to do without Kylian Mbappe next season as the Frenchman has no intention of extending his contract beyond summer 2024.
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According to Get French Football News, who cite Sports Zone, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is busy identifying forwards who have the ability to replace the goals and influence of Messi. Clearly, this will be a very hard task, but Al-Khelaifi believes Liverpool ace Mo Salah is one player who can do such a job.
It is claimed that Al-Khelaifi has met with Salah and his agent in Morocco in the past few days. He is 'testing the waters' to see if Salah would be open to leaving Anfield in what would be a shock transfer.
Al-Khelaifi quizzed Salah on whether he would be open to succeeding from Messi in the French capital.
Sports Zone add that there has been 'constant contact' between the PSG chief and Salah's camp since the World Cup in Qatar.
The link comes after Liverpool great Robbie Fowler warned the Reds they might have to fend off interest from PSG and Real Madrid in Salah this summer.
Luckily for Liverpool fans, it does not look like Salah has given Al-Khelaifi much hope that a transfer can be done. The Egyptian appears very happy at Liverpool and simply listened to what Al-Khelaifi had to say, rather than telling him he would be open to the switch.
This makes the operation a 'very difficult' one for PSG to pull off. Because of Salah's Liverpool contract, which runs until 2025, they would have to put up a huge amount of money to get the Merseyside club to even think about selling their star man.
It makes sense that PSG would like to sign Salah after losing Messi. While they are players with different styles, Salah has proven himself to be an excellent goalscorer at Liverpool and he could therefore make a big impact for PSG.
But the French giants will now have to search for other players who might be more readily available. Luis Campos, who is currently working as PSG's sporting adviser, is trying to snare Bernardo Silva away from Manchester City. Campos is also eager to sign impressive attacker Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has praised a player who he will soon link up with at Anfield.