Lionel Messi is yet to sign a new contract at Barcelona, but he is open to staying at the club, if three significant demands are met by new president Joan Laporta.
The Argentine superstar’s current deal expires on 1 July and is already free to negotiate with foreign teams over a summer switch.
Messi made his intention known that he wanted to leave last summer but was denied the chance, which left the world expecting to see him switch sides this year.
And that is still very much a possibility but the pendulum has swung and now he is now considering staying at the Camp Nou, to the extent that it is now his preferred option.
However, he wants some assurances before he signs a new contract, and needs to know the team is heading in the right direction, according to Eurosport.
Barcelona are not currently financially buoyant, but Messi wants to see at least one big-name signing and other transfer activity where possible at the club.
Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia are potential free transfers this summer transfer window, while Erling Haaland would tick the box of a marquee signing.
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Knowing the financial restraints that Barca are working under, Messi would also like to see young players developed, with youngsters like Ansu Fati, Pedri and Ilaix Moriba in mind.
Also, he would like to be afforded a direct and open line with Ronald Koeman, which he already enjoys, but also with the club’s technical secretary Ramon Planes and Laporta.
Despite the uncertainty over his future and Barca struggling to meet their high standards of recent years, Messi has already scored 23 goals in just 26 La Liga matches this season.
