Barcelona: Koeman hopes Messi stays for 'many more years'
Barcelona expect to tie down Lionel Messi to a new contract but have reportedly hit several stumbling blocks over the last fortnight. The legendary forward has spent his entire career with the Spanish giants but he will officially become a free agent tomorrow (Thursday) if he does not sign fresh terms beforehand.
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Sport claim that the terms of Messi’s supposed new deal have been agreed for some time but the paperwork is missing his signature.
That Messi is now playing for Argentina at the Copa America complicates the situation further. They are into the quarter-final of the tournament and play Ecuador on Sunday.
It has been reported that Laporta has instead been negotiating with Messi’s father and agent, Jorge.
Messi’s contract debacle is an obstacle in Barca’s summer rebuild following a poor season.
Barcelona chief Joan Laporta (centre) is yet to solve Lionel Messi's contract dilemma (Image: GETTY)
Ronald Koeman’s side finished third in La Liga and were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 of the Champions League.
It was the Catalan club’s lowest league finish in 13 years. Koeman has been trusted to lead their transfer window plans.
They have already signed Messi’s Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero and the striker will join on Thursday once his Manchester City contract expires.
The 20-year-old defender Eric Garcia will also sign on a free contract from the Premier League champions.