Koeman reacts to PSG’s interest in Messi

After Leonardo confirmed PSG’s interest in Messi, the Barcelona manager took the opportunity to respond in kind.

Ronald Koeman isn’t surprised by Leonardo’s comments on Lionel Messi and revealed he wouldn’t mind taking Neymar or Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.

In an interview with France Football this week, Leonardo was questioned on Messi. The PSG sporting director confirmed he and the club were monitoring the Barcelona skipper’s situation and teased they have a chair ‘reserved’ for him.

PSG sporting director Leonardo admits they ARE interested in Lionel Messi 👀 pic.twitter.com/9FmzqBKPNE

— Goal (@goal) January 18, 2021

“If you also ask me if I have an interest in Neymar or Mbappe, I would say yes,” Koeman said in response to Leonardo’s comments in a press conference on Wednesday.

Messi, of course, is a free agent at the end of the season once his contract expires at Camp Nou. He plans to wait until the club presidential elections, which were pushed back to March 7, are resolved before making a final decision on his future.

The 33-year-old, however, has more pressing matters. He is suspended for Barcelona’s next two games after receiving a red card in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Athletic Club.

But the Blaugrana intend to appeal the two-match ban, leaving Koeman hopeful the Argentine will return soon.

“Leo has trained very hard,” the Dutchman added. “I haven’t seen anything unusual about him.

“Everyone was sad about the result of the final, but we kept going. We are on the way to improving things. The game… in defence, we have to improve. Leo is very involved.”

Barcelona will face third-tier club Cornella in a Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash on Thursday night.

🔊 @RonaldKoeman on #Messi's two-match suspension: "There are things that can be defended. I hope the suspension is reduced" pic.twitter.com/cH4QCs6bkb

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 20, 2021