La Liga 2016/17: Lionel Messi's contract renewal talks with Barcelona progress

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 11:  Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona speaks to the audience after receiving the Ballon d'or from acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland.  (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Messi has played for Barcelona all his life since moving to Spain as a teenager

Over the last week, the biggest news coming from the city of Barcelona were talks of Barcelona’s superstar Lionel Messi not signing a new contract with F.C Barcelona. SPORT have now revealed that the club are gradually taking the steps required to renew Lionel Messi’s contract and President Josep Maria Bartomeu has taken charge of proceedings of the operations into his own hands.

The first contacts have been made and vital steps have been taken in the last few hours according to SPORT and everything is going as planned with in-depth negotiations set to take place in the weeks to follow.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu’s relationship with the Argentine international is very professional and there is no bad blood or misunderstandings from the previous era. Both sides are willing to move talks ahead and it has been evident from the calls exchanged in the last few hours. The deal is a major priority for the Catalans and the club has taken necessary steps to welcome Messi’s father Jorge who is expected to arrive at the training centre.

Also read: Lionel Messi, Neymar and Hal Robson-Kanu nominated for the FIFA Puskas award

Jorge Messi is expected to arrive in Barcelona ahead of the crunch fixture between Real Madrid and Barcelona on the 3rd of December. President Bartomeu is expected to meet him to discuss the priorities for both the club and the player. Reaching a deal before the end of the year seems like a possibility.

The club have a lot to do on their part and Messi expects an ideal environment at Barcelona to keep winning titles. The Catalans must also look to extend the contracts for key players like Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez who is one of Messi’s best friends off the pitch.

Both players have come from the continent of South America and are known to be family men who enjoy quiet time with their loved ones off the pitch. The growing relationship between Messi and his family with Suarez and his family could prove to show Luis Suarez’s extended stay will also be an important feature of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract.

After missing the weekend’s 0-0 draw against Malaga, the Argentine is expected to have recovered and be fully fit to face Scottish champions Celtic this evening. His mate Luis Suarez will also make his way back after missing the game due to a suspension.

youtube-cover

More Football news, transfer rumours, analysis and features at Sportskeeda.com. Also if you are attending a football game anywhere in the world and/or have a news tip for us drop us an email at football (at) sportskeeda (dot) com.

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor