Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are ready to make a world record transfer offer for Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi that will see the Argentine break Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.

According to the Daily Mirror, Al Hilal want to make a statement by signing Messi in the coming months, and they will offer the 35-year-old a salary package which surpasses Ronaldo’s rumoured £173m annual wage.

Al Hilal will have to battle Barcelona, who are keen to bring Messi back to Camp Nou in the summer.

Messi’s current contract with PSG will expire in June, and despite the Parisians’ optimism of activating a 12-month extension clause, Messi looks to be edging away from the French Ligue champions.

Barcelona remains confident over a potential deal for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, with manager Xavi indicating his desire to be reunited with his former teammate at the Catalan club.

The main threat to Barcelona’s plan could come from outside Europe, with Al Hilal desperate to match Al Nassr’s January move for Ronaldo.