The Serb blamed Friday's incident when he was accidentally struck on the head by a fan's water bottle while signing autographs
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal football club have flown to Paris to seal a mega-deal with departing superstar Lionel Messi, two sources with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Sunday.
The Saudi delegation plans to meet Messi's father and agent, Jorge, with the aiming of completing the signing as soon as possible, the sources said.
Messi's departure from Qatar-owned Paris-Saint Germain was confirmed on Saturday and he was jeered by a section of the club's fans in his final appearance, a 3-2 defeat by Clermont.
"There is a Saudi delegation in Paris with one goal: to return with Messi official approval to the Saudi offer," a source close to the club said.
Another official, who is close to the negotiations, said: "We are in the final stage of the deal. "If everything goes well, Messi will sign his new contract and Al-Hilal will announce it before the weekend."
Messi, 35, arrived in Paris two seasons ago from Barcelona, but was unable to help PSG win an elusive Champions League title, as the club suffered last-16 defeats in both campaigns with the Argentine maestro.
Along with oil-wealthy Saudi Arabia -- where Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing since January -- the seven-time Ballon d'Or-winner has also been linked with a return to Barcelona and with David Beckham's Inter Miami.
On Saturday, Saudi state television channel Al-Ekhbariya said French striker Karim Benzema, who is leaving Real Madrid, had signed with Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad.
According to Al-Ekhbariya, the Saudi champions' president and his deputy were in the Spanish capital to sign Benzema in a "record transfer with Real Madrid".
Last month, a source close to the negotiations in Saudi Arabia told AFP that Messi's signing was a "done deal", describing the contract as "huge".
Messi, who lifted the World Cup in Qatar in December, was suspended by Qatari-owned PSG last month for an unauthorised mid-season trip to Saudi, where he is a tourism ambassador.
ALSO READ:
The Serb blamed Friday's incident when he was accidentally struck on the head by a fan's water bottle while signing autographs
Jamie Camero tops the Ladies Division and hopes to do the same in her biology A-level exam on Monday
The knockout king joined an elite group of fighters on that mark with only Charles Oliveira (20), Jim Miller (18) and Donald Cerrone (16) having scored more finishes
Dual Olympic gold medalist stays with his plan to overwhelm the Greek-born local favourite in the 11th round
The 34-year-old American seeks his sixth career major crown next week at Valhalla
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy stars as the Knight Riders booked the coveted spot with am18-run win over the former five-time champions in a rain-reduced match at Eden Gardens
Star India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter on cusp completing a century of centuries in professional cricket
The Ukrainian is regarded as the greatest ever amateur boxer having compiled an incredible 396-1 record and won consecutive golds at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics