Xavi confirms desire to re-sign Lionel Messi for Barcelona

Due to their well-documented financial problems, Barca were forced to let the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner leave the club on a free transfer last summer after 21 historic years with the Catalan giants.

Messi eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain, penning a two-year contract and linking up with former Barca teammate Neymar in the French capital.

Despite recording 11 goals and 15 assists in 34 appearances for PSG last season, Messi failed to reach the heights expected in his inaugural campaign with the club and received criticism for his performances.

With only 12 months remaining on his deal at the Parc des Princes, the Argentine's long-term future at the club is believed to be uncertain and speculation over a sensational return to Camp Nou has already begun.

When asked by reporters, via Marca, if he would like to see Messi return to Barcelona, Xavi said: "Yes, but at the moment Leo has a contract with another club."

"It doesn't make sense talking about Messi now. He is the best footballer in the world and in the history of soccer.

"President (Joan Laporta) said he wishes the story between Leo and Barca will continue. We will see in the future. But right now it isn't the time to talk about Leo."

Speaking to ESPN earlier this month, Laporta said: "I don't believe Messi's chapter at Barcelona is over and I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that chapter is still open, that it hasn't closed.

"To have a moment to do it how it should have been done so that he may have a much more splendid ending than what he had. If I feel like I owe him one? Yes.

"Morally, as the president of Barcelona, I think I did what needed to be done. But also as Barcelona's president, and personally, I believe I owe him one."

Messi, who turns 36 in June next year, left Barcelona after recording 672 goals and 302 assists in 777 appearances across all competitions as well as winning 34 trophies.

It remains to be seen whether Barca would be able to afford the signing of Messi, who is allegedly earning around €779,000 per week at PSG.

Barcelona are believed to be in excess of £1bn in debt, but that has not stopped them from splashing the cash on four new signings this summer.

Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen have joined on free transfers, with Barca only having to pay their wages, while Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski have signed for the club for a combined fee in excess of €100m.

Laporta has also confirmed that they club are in the market for a new defender and Sevilla's Jules Kounde is believed to be their primary target, with a £55m deal for the 23-year-old seemingly on the verge of completion amid a leak on their official club store website.