Barcelona will try and sell FIVE first-team stars to generate funds for Lionel Messi

Barcelona will look to sell FIVE first-team players in order to facilitate a blockbuster move for Lionel Messi this summer.

Messi’s two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain appears set to come to an end this summer.

He left the Catalan giants to sign for PSG in 2021, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Barca are thought to be very keen on re-signing their former player, with club president Joan Laporta hellbent on luring the 35-year-old back to Spain.

In an effort to generate funds for Messi, the La Liga giants will try and sell FIVE first-team stars.

Lionel Messi during his Barcelona days. Image: Alamy

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who claim Barca will look to offload Erik Garcia, Marcos Alonso, Franck Kessie, Raphinha and Ferran Torres.

The potential sale of the five players could be key in order to facilitate a transfer for the Argentine forward.

Raphinha, who joined the Camp Nou outfit from Leeds United, has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with Arsenal and Newcastle United thought to be interested in acquiring his services.

Ex-Man City forward Torres has also been linked with a switch back to the Premier League as Aston Villa monitor his situation ahead of the transfer window reopening.

Garcia, Alonso and Kessie are believed to be on the chopping block, too.

Lionel Messi uploads video explaining trip to Saudi Arabia after being suspended by PSG

Messi, of course, enjoyed an iconic spell at Barca before his transfer to PSG. He won a staggering 10 La Liga titles and the prestigious Champions League on four occasions.

Barca want him back for the 2023/24 campaign as they’re prepared to axe five players to engineer a move for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Meanwhile, Messi has landed himself in hot water with PSG following his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.

He was subsequently suspended by PSG for two weeks, with the World Cup winner apologising for his actions.

“First of all, I want to apologise to my team-mates and the club. Honestly, I thought we were going to have a day off after the game like we did in previous weeks,” he said.

“I had this trip organised, which I had cancelled already. I could not cancel it again. I repeat, I want to say sorry for what I did. I am waiting to hear what the club want to do with me.”