Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against Atlanta United during the first half at Nu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Purchase Licensing Rights,

Spanish second-division side C.D. Eldense said on Wednesday that Argentine great Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to become ​the club’s new owner.

The Inter Miami forward is close to completing ‌a deal to purchase 100% of the shares held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., the current majority shareholder.

Messi, 39, is poised to become the majority owner of a ​second club in Spain, after the purchase of UE Cornella on April 16 ​earlier this year.

Cornella, who play in the fifth tier of Spain’s ⁠football pyramid, has a reputation for success in grassroots and youth football, with ​several graduates from their academy going on to join Messi’s former club ​Barcelona over the years.

He is also set to receive a stake in current club Inter Miami after the expiry of his playing contract. Reports in Spain on Tuesday said the deal to purchase Eldense ​is expected to be completed in the coming days.

“At this time, the operation ​is pending completion of the final legal and contractual procedures, including the corresponding due diligence process, ‌as ⁠well as the mandatory authorisation from the High Council for Sports (CSD),” Eldense told Reuters.

The club were unable to give a fixed date for the completion of the deal. TH Soluciones Group have also been contacted for comment.

Eldense, 20th in the Segunda ​standings, were taken ​over by TH ⁠Soluciones Group last October. Eldense have risen to the second tier of Spanish football after years spent in the regional divisions.

Messi ​will be unable to invest heavily in signing players for ​Eldense, due ⁠to Spain’s strict salary limit rules.

Messi is one of a number of big names in Spanish football who have become club owners. Former teammate Gerard Pique’s Kosmos group ⁠own Andorra ​who also play in Spain’s second tier.

Real Madrid ​forwards Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe are part of investment groups that are majority shareholders at Alverca ​in Portugal and SM Caen in France, respectively.