Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'preparing three-year deal for Lionel Messi'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 23 April 2021

Barcelona president Joan Laporta reportedly hopes to tie Lionel Messi down to the club until 2024 in order to compensate for an immediate wage decrease.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly set to offer Lionel Messi a new three-year deal at the club amid their financial crisis.

The Argentine's contract situation remains unresolved, despite recent reports claiming that he is leaning towards staying, and his existing deal is now due to run out in just over two months' time.

Messi currently pockets a staggering €75m (£65.4m) per year at Camp Nou, and Barca are aware that they cannot continue to fork out such extortionate wages to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to ESPN, Laporta is therefore prepared to offer Messi a fixed two-year deal with the option of a further season, and any immediate salary decreases will be compensated over a number of years.

Despite their volatile financial situation, the report adds that Laporta is still hopeful of bringing Erling Braut Haaland or Neymar to the club in order to convince Messi of his Barcelona project.

Neymar is reportedly willing to take a pay cut in order to seal a return to Barcelona, although the Brazilian's club Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are still thought to be keeping an eye on Messi's situation.