Lionel Messi intends to remain at Barcelona as contract talks are understood to be at an advanced stage, though there remains some key details to be sorted out before the deal is signed.
The Barça talisman and all-time record goalscorer sent shockwaves around the world last summer as he outlined his intentions to leave Camp Nou.
Messi was reportedly showed his discontentment at the sale of friend and former teammate Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid, with the Catalan giants trying desperately to trim their wage bill in a bid to balance the books.
Despite their attempts to move on a number of their high-earners, Barça have continued to insist that Messi remains at the forefront of their future plans and have refused to entertain the idea of him leaving.
The Argentine captain is yet to put pen to paper at the club he’s represented for the last 21 years meaning he could leave Camp Nou when his current deal expires in less than a week though report has it that negotiations over a two-year contract are ongoing and an agreement is expected to be reached in the not too
distant future.
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 accelerate the discussions in the hope they can tie their key man down before his current contract expires.
While Barça fans will no doubt be relieved at the news Messi intends to remain at the club, exactly when a deal will be struck between the two parties remains to be seen.
Messi is currently away on international duty with
Argentina at 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 a bid to tie down their captain.
