PSG director responds to Ronaldo & Messi transfer talk

Ronaldo and Messi have both been linked with summer moves to PSG, with Leonardo now weighing in on the rumors.

Sporting director Leonardo has downplayed transfer rumors linking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain.

The transfer rumor mill is gaining traction, as two of the world’s biggest football stars consider their futures.

As things stand, Messi will be a free agent in the summer once his Barcelona contract expires on June 30. PSG, along with Manchester City, have been tipped to make a move. Leonardo, for one, had previously openly remarked on the club’s interest, which led to criticism from the newly elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

(🌕) Joan Laporta is planning to sit down with Lionel Messi [over a contract renewal] after Wednesday’s game against PSG — although he has hinted earlier today that he could call Messi's dad, Jorge, before then. @samuelmarsden #Transfers 🇦🇷🔜🚨

— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@HagridFCB) March 8, 2021

So, perhaps with this in mind, Leonardo carefully chose his words when discussing Messi this time around.

“Today, we are so focused, it is March, it is a decisive moment for the results of the season,” Leonardo told RMC Sport.

“We have nothing at all in relation to the future, except the idea of extending the players that we already have. There is no contract or a project for something. We are also obliged to measure what will be the financial results of this season.”

Is a France move on Ronaldo’s radar?

Juventus’ shock Champions League exit at the hands of Porto, meanwhile, has poured fresh doubts on Ronaldo’s future.

📰 [Le Parisien🥈] | PSG is closely monitoring the situation of Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo, who seems to be close to the exit door in Turin

If Kylian Mbappé leaves, the Parisians hope to attract Lionel Messi or CR7 to the French capital pic.twitter.com/fQknPfFnHq

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) March 11, 2021

The Portuguese ace, who only has a year left on his current contract, has also been tipped as a potential transfer target for PSG. However, Leonardo insists ‘no negotiations have taken place for a new player yet.

“What makes us happy is that PSG is almost always in all files,” said the Brazilian on the Ronaldo transfer rumors.

“It’s good. The transfer window is very fluid, there is some movement. PSG is very desired, in general. All the great players are linked to PSG. It is something that must be valued.

“We are always in the position to speak with the great players, who would like to come. But we have no negotiations in progress regarding a new player.”