Lionel Messi is finally close to agreeing a two-year contract extension with Barcelona according to reports in Spain.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, the 33-year-old is on the verge of signing a two-year deal that will end intense speculation over his future at the club.
Messi has been strongly linked with moves to Manchester City and PSG since he publicly expressed his desire to leave the La Liga giants last summer amid concerns over the direction of the club.
Since then, Josep Bartomeu has been ousted as Barcelona president, with Joan Laporta returning to the role for a second time this year.
The report claims only “structural details” are left to be done before Messi signs a new deal that will keep him at Barcelona until the summer of 2023, when he could now decide to play for another team.
A return to Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi was spotted by Barca as a youngster, could be on the cards as a “swansong” for the Argentine superstar.
“Things are going well, but it is not a done deal yet,” Laporta said about negotiations with Messi over a new deal on Tuesday.
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“The thing with Leo is that it is not a matter of money from his side. From our side, we know the limits of the possibilities we have and he is showing a lot of understanding. He wants to stay and we will try our best to make that happen.”
Messi is therefore set to ply his trade alongside Sergio Aguero at Camp Nou for the 2021-22 campaign, with the former Manchester City striker joining as a free agent on a two-year contract.
Messi – who will turn 34 this month – enjoyed another superb campaign in Catalonia, chalking up 38 goals and 14 assists in 47 matches across all competitions.
