Lionel Messi expected to sign new Barcelona contract this week to end transfer exit talks

Lionel Messi: New Barcelona president vows to keep star

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Lionel Messi is edging closer to putting talk of a transfer exit from Barcelona to bed and signing a new contract to stay at the Nou Camp. The La Liga giants’ precarious financial position meant that Messi’s contract was allowed to expire at the end of last season.

With the Argentine superstar a free agent for the first time in his career, rumours were sparked of a potential departure from Catalonia.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were both linked with moves for the 34-year-old, as negotiations between his representatives and Barca appeared to stall.

Messi’s stunning talents were on show once again last season, as the Barca skipper scored 30 goals in 35 La Liga games.

Though they finished third in the Spanish top-flight, Messi’s goals were a major factor in keeping his side in the title race until the penultimate week of the campaign.

While the title was not secured and Ronald Koeman’s side were knocked out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage, Messi did captain his side to the Copa del Rey trophy.

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But with the previous regime at Barcelona having left the club in a terrible financial state, renewing Messi’s contract was put on the backburner as costs were cut.

Though there are still money issues at the Nou Camp, club president Joan Laporta has ramped up negotiations with his star player.

Laporta took personal charge of the talks in an effort to keep Messi at the club and the tactic appeared to work, with reports last month claiming he was set to sign a new deal.

Despite several weeks passing since that apparent breakthrough, the Argentina captain is still yet to put pen to paper.

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The wait is still ongoing, with ESPN reporting that he is still yet to return to training with Barcelona for pre-season.

Koeman’s squad are currently in Germany for a training camp, with a friendly against Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg scheduled for Wednesday.

Though Messi is set to miss that game, ESPN do claim that Barca are “working hard” as they hope to finally confirm his new deal this week.

According to the news website, there is hope at the Spanish club that Messi will have signed his contract in time to feature in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Juventus on Sunday.

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Messi returned to the city last week after leading Argentina to winning Copa America, though ESPN state he is delaying his return until his future is officially resolved.

The delays have been caused by the club’s financial issues, but Laporta this week confirmed that everything is “progressing well”.

“We’re doing what’s possible. It’s still not sorted but it’s progressing well. We’ll do everything for Messi to continue at the club. He wants to stay,” he said.

“It’s progressing as it must, but there are some matters that need to be clarified which are important for both parties.”
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