Barca are eager to secure Messi's future.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu said that Barcelona is in negotiations to extend the contract of superstar Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi's current contract runs until 2018, but Barca have quickly offered the club's first vice-captain an extension. According to president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barca are in negotiations with Messi. The two sides had previously reached an agreement in July, and according to Bartomeu, the only remaining issue is when the 29-year-old will sign the new contract.

"Messi has two years left on his contract, but we have spoken to him about signing a new one, because Barca wants him to continue at the club. The signing is only a matter of time," President Bartomeu said on Catalunya radio. Messi is currently suffering from a hamstring injury and is likely to miss Argentina's two 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Venezuela.

Messi is highly likely to remain with the reigning La Liga champions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner overcame the disappointment of the 2016 Copa America to help Barca win their first title of the 2016/17 season, the Spanish Super Cup (against Sevilla). Following that, Messi also scored a brace in their opening La Liga match against Real Betis. There is currently no specific information about the duration or salary of Messi's new contract, but according to Bartomeu, Barca will offer him a figure he cannot refuse.

"Messi is the number one player in the world right now. Tax issues are very difficult to assess accurately because sometimes players are not held responsible for them. We have spoken to all the players, and in Messi's case, he is a strong, ambitious person who has returned more impressively than ever, demonstrating his desire to keep everyone at Barca happy. We always have faith in him," Bartomeu asserted.

According to bongdaplus.vn