Inter Miami are on the verge of agreeing a deal with Lionel Messi, according to reports. The Paris Saint-Germain star, who is midway through his World Cup campaign with Argentina, is reportedly close to joining the American side at the end of the season, in what would emerge the most lucrative contract in the history of the MLS.

It is understood that the Miami franchise, which is co-owned by David Beckham, expects the 35-year-old to confirm his decision at the end of the World Cup in Qatar. According to The Times, Miami are also eager to lure Messi’s former team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Luis Suarez next summer.

🔺EXCLUSIVE: Inter Miami are close to signing Lionel Messi. The deal will make the 35-year-old the highest paid player in the history of the MLShttps://t.co/g2vmg4xzSV

— Times Sport (@TimesSport) November 27, 2022

The MLS club believe that Messi will leave his current side Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the current season. A deal to bring Messi to Inter Miami would make him the highest-paid player in the history of MLS, adds the report.

Inter Miami – which is co-owned by David Beckham – could also make moves for Messi’s former team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Luis Suarez. Messi has previously outlined his desire to play in the US, saying: “I would like to play in the United States one day; it’s always been one of my dreams.

According to The Times, he is set to be made the highest paid player in MLS history by joining David Beckham’s franchise at the end of the current campaign. Messi already owns a luxury £5m apartment in Miami, and regularly holidays there with his family. With the United States joint hosting the next World Cup, MLS would be eager to recruit Messi in order to further raise the profile of their domestic game.