Barcelona president announces two signings, denies Messi return

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club have already completed two signings ahead of the next transfer window but said they are not considering bringing former star player Lionel Messi back to the club.

Laporta did not name the two signings, but reports suggest Barca have agreed deals with Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie ahead of their contracts expiring with their respective clubs in June.

“We have closed two signings already,” Laporta told RAC1 on Monday.

“I can’t give names. Let’s just say one could be a centre-back and the other a midfielder.”

However, Laporta said a return for Messi is not on the table. Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last August but had been linked with a move back to Camp Nou after he was jeered by the Ligue 1 club’s fans following their elimination from the Champions League.

“I’ve not received a single message from Leo or his camp in that direction,” Laporta said.

“At the moment, we’re not considering it. We’re building a young team that is starting to click.

“Leo is Leo, he is the best in the world, but we are not contemplating his return.”