Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi will reportedly earn double Cristiano Ronaldo's salary if he accepts a contract offer from Saudi Arabia.

Messi linked with Saudi switch

Argentine would earn €1bn over two years

Salary double that of Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

 Portugal star Ronaldo recently topped Forbes' highest-paid athletes list after his ludicrous deal at Al-  which he signed in late December.  But French outlet L'Equipe have revealed that the Gulf state are willing to more than double this amount to reunite Messi with his great rival.  The report states that a club in the Saudi Pro League, most likely Al-Hilal, have made an offer worth €500 million (£434m/$548m) per season to Messi, who has a two-year deal on the table in the Middle East.

The latest information quantifies the keen interest from Saudi Arabia, which has developed exponentially in recent weeks. With Messi's contract at Paris Saint-Germain  expiring in the summer, Barcelona had emerged as the early frontrunners for his signature. But given their financial issues and the Saudis' exorbitant wealth,  a move to the Gulf state has picked up increasing steam, and reports on Tuesday even suggested it was a "done deal".