Lionel Messi has turned down the chance to take Neymar’s No 10 shirt at PSG, according to reports.
The French side are looking to act quick and sign the Argentine after it was announced he was leaving Barcelona.
Reports state that things are progressing quickly regarding a switch to the Parc des Princes, which would see Messi reunite with Neymar.
The pair played together for four years, three of those being as part of a fearsome attacking trio that also includes Luis Suarez, UK Mirror reports.
The trio retain a strong bond and talk away from football and Neymar is keen to have Messi play alongside him.
So much so that he offered him his No 10 shirt in Paris, only for Messi to reject in, reports Telefoot.
Instead the Argentine will assume the No 19 shirt – a number he previously wore at Barcelona.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is also expected to earn €40m net per year in the French capital.
Neymar’s social media activity has done little to quash the rumour mill as eagle eyed fans spotted something interesting in his activity.
The account TNT Sports posted a mocked-up picture of Messi in a PSG shirt hugging Neymar in celebration – and Neymar’s official account ‘liked’ the post.
The 34-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal in Paris with the option of a further year.
Jorge Messi, the player’s father, is due to hold imminent talks with the French club.
Mauricio Pochettino has already confessed that signing Messi is not an opportunity you pass up.
He said, “When you talk about players of his stature I think that many clubs, and in this case Paris St Germain, these opportunities sometimes come up and sometimes they don’t.
“The club is working hard, as I said, and if there is any information we will let you know. In every case, we are evaluating the options, and of course this is one of those.”
