While Barcelona are focused on the ongoing La Liga title race, with the Catalan giants mounting a late and heated battle with Real Madrid and Atletico to lift the league crown, the issue of Lionel Messi's future remains a priority.
Club president Joan Laporta, who was elected into office a few months, promised to do everything in his power to keep the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, and while La Pulga has refused to talk about his contract situation until after the season ends, it appears a breakthrough has been made. This is according to the Times, claiming that Argentine is close to putting pen to paper on a new Camp Nou deal.
The attacker's current contract ends this summer, and after a failed move to leave last summer, the 33-year-old will be a free agent in a few months' time and could thus join any team for free. Man City have been linked with the South American sensation and for obvious reasons, with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola being at the helm of the Etihad Stadium, but in recent months, PSG have emerged as the favorites.
TNT Sports reported a few days ago that the Ligue 1 giants offered Messi and two-year deal, with the option of an extra year, and astronomical wages to move to Paris, but according to the Times, Leo is set to turn this down in favor of a stay after positive talks between the club and his father, Jorge Messi.
The report adds that the club's all-time leading scorer is on the brink of signing a 10-year deal, which might raise a few eyebrows. This arrangement would keep Messi, who is both Barcelona's and La Liga's top scorer, in Catalonia for a few more years and would allow him to achieve his long-term goal of playing in the MLS before returning to the Blaugrana in an executive role.
While the Times are, for the most part, a reliable source, transfer rumors must always be taken with a pinch of salt. Koeman's side have won the Copa del Rey, but were once again knocked out of Europe and suffered a huge blow in the Spanish top-flight race due to their 2-1 loss at home to Granada on Thursday.
