Barcelona start negotiations over Lionel Messi’s contract renewal

The Lionel Messi transfer saga which took place over eight months ago has brewed hundreds of thousands of conflicting speculations regarding his future at the club. With no conclusive evidence on his contract renewal, fans have been anxiously awaiting announcements on his future.

The hopes for the Argentinian to stay in Camp Nou are starting to become brighter, as Sport now exclusively reports that contract renewal talks are underway. It is believed that over the last few days, club president, Joan Laporta, and Messi’s father have held several talks in order to define the terms of his contract renewal; the current contract is set to expire on the 30th of June.

It is believed that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is more convinced by Barça’s current project, youth prospects, the president, and his coach Ronald Koeman. While fractured relations with Setien as well as former president Josep Maria Bartomeu left Messi willing to leave, it is evident that he enjoys a far better relationship with Koeman, who seems to have his full confidence.

In addition, the number 10 has surely taken note of the many bright and young prospects currently being nurtured by the club, such as Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Sergiño Dest, Oscar Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba, Riqui Puig, to name a few.

In addition, world-class players such as Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong are also new entrants from last season who have really helped in the rebuild, or ‘transition’ that the club has undergone this season.

In light of the same, Messi is surely convinced that the club has turned a full 180 degrees from where it was headed under Bartomeu. Now, surely he is convinced to stay on board and achieve more success with the club of his life.

Reportedly, in the first meeting between Jorge Messi and Laporta, the contract details were broadly outlined, with both Messi and his father satisfied with the proposed terms; however, many details still require ironing out.

PSG and Manchester City are still eyeing the situation and will use every chance to sign the Argentine in case he wants to leave the Catalan club.

The four-time Champions League winner is still concerned about the sporting project, in hopes of competing in Europe. However, the signs are currently looking much more positive, with Messi most likely set to renew for an additional two seasons at Barça.