Lionel Messi: PSG defender backs club’s ambitious transfer plans for Barcelona superstar

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Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with an audacious move for Lionel Messi this summer, and recently-retired defender Zoumana Camara has expressed his desire to see the Barcelona superstar at the Parc des Princes.

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The centre-back confirmed his retirement and will take a role in the club’s staff this summer.

Speaking to Clique, the former AS Saint-Etienne defender has expressed his desire to see the very best players come to the club as PSG aim to realise Champions League glory.

“Who would I like to see play at PSG?” the 36-year-old mused, “it’s hard for me to give names of players who play in the same position as my former teammates!

“The best players are welcome for PSG to continue to grow. Messi? Messi is the top!

“Are we talking about it? We know that he is exceptional, that he is fantastic.”

Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has expressed his confidence that a deal can be agreed for the Barcelona superstar, who will feature in the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin on Saturday.

“Messi and Ronaldo?” he began, as reported by Le 10 Sport recently, “It’s realistic, everything is possible here at our club.”

PSG enjoyed arguably the greatest season in their history during the 2014-15 campaign when they claimed an unprecedented domestic quadruple. Laurent Blanc’s side won the Ligue 1 title—their third in a row—as well as the Trophee des Champions, Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.

They also impressed in the Champions League, eliminating Chelsea in the round of 16 before falling to Barcelona in a somewhat anti-climactic double-header in the quarter-final.

Veteran Camara was a peripheral figure this season, making only eight appearances during the campaign, typically when injury ruled out the likes of David Luiz and Marquinhos. Having confirmed that he would call time on his playing career at the end of the season, the defender, who previously featured for the likes of Leeds United, Olympique de Marseille and Inter Milan, was given a final start in the final match against Stade de Reims.

Having conquered France this term, Blanc and Al-Khelaifi will surely be eyeing progress in Europe for the Parisians next term.

PSG will surely need to offload several high-earners if they are to raise the cash to bring Messi to the Parc des Princes; Edinson Cavani has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Juventus [via the Daily Mail], Ezequiel Lavezzi has been rumoured to be interesting Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur [via the Express], while AC Milan are understood to be keen on taking Zlatan Ibrahimovic back to AC Milan [via ESPN].

Marco Verratti is another player who could be sold to raise funds, with Real Madrid linked to the Italy midfielder [via the Gazzetta dello Sport].