Barcelona could not afford to keep Lionel Messi but Paris Saint-Germain have made their move for the 34-year-old and, while the cost of the deal may be astronomical, it is still likely to be a very smart bit of business if or when it goes through.

Barca -- swimming in debt of 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) -- ultimately found themselves in a no-win situation with their talisman.

Keeping him would have maintained salaries at an untenable 110 percent of revenue.