Lionel Messi’s contract talks with Barcelona are of course in an advanced stage, although some important details remain to be ironed out before a deal is signed.
Barça’s talisman and record-breaking goal scorer of all time sent shock waves around the world last summer when he announced his intentions to leave Camp Nou.
Messi was reportedly unhappy with the sale of friend and former teammate Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid, where the Catalan giants desperately tried to trim their salary costs in an attempt to balance the books.
Despite their attempts to relocate a number of their high-income earners, Barça have continued to insist that Messi remain at the helm of his future plans and have refused to entertain the idea of him leaving.
The Argentine international has yet to sign new terms with the club he has represented for the past 21 years – meaning he can leave Camp Nou when his current deal expires in less than a week – although Sky Sports reports that negotiations for a two-year contract is ongoing and an agreement is expected to be reached in the not too distant future.
Lionel Messi is currently away with Argentina at the Copa America / MB Media / Getty Images
There are still a number of key issues to be resolved before Messi’s stay in Catalonia can be confirmed, and Barcelona are keen to speed up discussions in the hope that they can tie up their key man before his current contract expires.
While Barça fans will no doubt be relieved by the news Messi intends to stay at the club, exactly when an agreement will be reached between the two parties remains to be seen.
Messi is currently on international duty with Argentina in the Copa America, while his father and agent Jorge Messi left Barcelona this week – meaning the club will have to wait a little longer before resuming negotiations in an attempt to tie down their captain.
