Al-Hilal is planning to announce Lionel Messi’s transfer in the coming days, as a return to Barcelona looks increasingly unlikely, according to SPORT.

Earlier this week, Barca boss Xavi admitted that a return to the Nou Camp for Messi “depended 99 percent” on the player.

However, the La Liga club’s precarious finances are also a huge stumbling block, and it is looking increasingly unlikely that Messi will be back.

It is now understood that Al-Hilal intends to announce Messi’s signing on June 6.

Al-Hilal’s rumored move for Messi would make him the highest-paid player in the world.

The 35-year-old, who is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, could be offered €400 million per season, double that of Cristiano Ronaldo’s whopping €200 million salary at Al-Nassr.

To emphasize the significance of this potential signing, Al-Hilal has reputedly set up a global news echo to ensure the transfer announcement goes far and wide as soon as Messi gives it the go-ahead.