Lionel Messi 'AGREES to sign new two-year deal at Barcelona'

Lionel Messi ‘ends speculation about his future after AGREEING to sign new two-year deal at Barcelona… with Argentine having accepted proposed financial package and payment structure’

  • Lionel Messi’s current Barcelona deal is set to expire at the end of the month 
  • But Cadena Cope are reporting the Argentine has accepted the club’s offer 
  • The outlet adds that finer details still need to be ironed out between the parties 
  • But the expectation remains that Messi will extend his 17-year first-team career

Lionel Messi has agreed to a fresh two-year contract to stay at Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.

The 33-year-old’s future at the Catalan giants had been in doubt, with his current deal expiring at the end of this month.

But according to Spanish outlet Cadena Cope, the Argentine has accepted the club’s financial package as well as the payment structure that they have proposed as part of the deal.

Lionel Messi has reportedly agreed to a fresh two-year contract to stay at Barcelona

Reports in Spain claim he has accepted the financial package proposed by Joan Laporta (R)

The outlet adds that finer details still need to be ironed out, but the expectation remains that Messi will extend his 17-year career as part of the Barcelona first team, in which he has won 34 trophies.

It would represent a remarkable turnaround to nearly 12 months ago, when Messi rocked the club by submitting a transfer request following their 8-2 Champions League humiliation by Bayern Munich. 

The reports will be music to the ears of compatriot and close friend Sergio Aguero, who was unveiled as a Barcelona player on Monday, having also agreed a two-year deal once his contract at Manchester City expires at the end of the month.

‘We hope to play together, of course,’ Aguero said when asked if his arrival was an indicator that Messi had decided to stay at the club.

Finer details need to be ironed out by the Argentine is now expected to stay at the club where he has won 34 trophies

‘But what happens with Leo is a decision he will take with the club. It’s a pleasure to play with him. If he stays here, which I think he will, we will give our best for the club to achieve big things.

‘I speak with [Messi] every day, but I can’t tell you what about,’ Aguero added, laughing. ‘The last message was him congratulating me on my signing.

‘I’ve known him since I was a kid, but training with him every day, because the national team isn’t that often, is going to be much easier.’

Barcelona president Joan Laporta also confirmed talks were progressing well with Messi’s representatives, and insisted the issue with the deal was never Messi’s financial motives. 

Sergio Aguero hinted he expects Messi to stay at his unveiling at the Camp Nou on Monday

‘Talks are ongoing with Messi’s people,’ Laporta said as centre-back Eric Garcia was being unveiled as the club’s latest signing. ‘As I have said, they’re going well. We hope to keep making progress.

‘It’s not done but I am convinced, like [Aguero] said, that they would like to play together here. I have always said the issue with Leo is not financial for him.

‘[Messi] is showing a lot of understanding and wants to stay and have a competitive team that wins trophies. The sooner we have a decision, the better, of course, but we’re not in a rush.’

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is also set to remain in charge and is poised to sign fresh terms

Sportsmail also revealed current Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is set to remain in charge and is poised to sign fresh terms, but only once he has accepted a pay cut in the the club’s effort to reduce its crippling wage bill.

Of Koeman’s future, Laporta said on Tuesday: ‘Talks have gone well. I think this period of reflection has been good. Things will improve with Koeman. 

‘None of us want what happened last season to happen again this season. I feel very comfortable talking with him and I hope he feels the same way. He is more out than in.’




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