GALATASARAY are chasing a stunning loan move to sign Lionel Messi on loan from Inter Miami, according to sensational reports from Turkey.
The MLS regular season ended in October, with the play-offs set to continue until December.
Messi‘s side lost 2-1 to Nashvillethis week in the second of three first-round play-off games.
Argentine could feature for Miami up until December 6, should his team make the MLS Cup final.
But the World Cup winner then won’t have any football until the MLS season resumes next March and he could be forced to secure a short-term loan move to keep himself fit.
And a stunning report from FotoMac, which describes itself as the No 1 sports site in Turkey, says Galatasaray have launched an audacious bid to bring Messi to Istanbul.
The report comes from editor in chief Zeki Uzundurukan, who says the 38-year-old superstar was being “closely monitored” by Galatasaray bosses.
It adds that Messi could be persuaded to agree a four-month loan in a bid to keep his fitness up ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Messi currently earns an eye-watering £15million a year in Miami, with his salary bankrolled by Adidas and Apple.
Galatasaray would likely have to cover at least a portion of that salary if they were to take him on.
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The club would even be willing to match his salary for the duration of his stay in Turkey, the report goes on.
Galatasaray have shown they have considerable financial clout behind them after signing Victor Osimhen for a Turkish record of £65m, handing him wages of £250,000 a week.
They also signed former Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane and handed him a lucrative deal worth around £7.6m a year.
And ex-Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan also arrived in the Turkish capital this summer, taking home wages of around £4m a year.
Messi has continued his incredible goalscoring form since joining Miami from PSG in 2023.
This season he has 40 strikes in all competitions, nearly doubling his total of 23 from the 2024 campaign.
He has helped his team win the Supporters’ Shield and Leagues Cup since his arrival and will be hoping to guide them to the MLS Cup.
Inter Miami have no fear of losing Messi permanently after the Argentina hero signed a new three-year deal last month that will keep him until he’s 41.
Messi has been a huge draw in America while playing under former Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano – bringing in legions of fans each week.
He has a total of 71 goals for the club and has assisted another 37.
