Lionel Messi Awaits 'Imminent' New Contract Offer
Messi, 29, has been the subject of negotiations through December and early January as Barca try to tie down their star asset beyond his current 2018 contract expiry date.
And in Spain, Catalan paper SPORT report a formal offer is now 'imminent' – with renewed terms to be put forward in the next fortnight.
The offer is said to be one that indicates Barcelona's recognition of Messi as the world's best player, while reflecting the economic reality of the modern market – indicating a wage in excess of rival star, Cristiano Ronaldo's £365,000 per week at Real Madrid.
A five-and-a-half year deal, to take Messi within a month of his 36th birthday, had previously been mooted.
The Argentine forward's father, Jorge Messi, has been in Spain negotiating with Barcelona, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu taking a hands-on role in talks.
Extending Messi's 12-and-a-half year first-team career at the Nou Camp has been a priority for the Spanish champions for some time, with attacking partners Neymar and Luis Suarez tied to new contracts in October and December of last year.
Reaffirming his desire to stay, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner told Coach magazine this week: 'I have always said that Barcelona has given me everything and I am here for as long as they want me to be.'
However, Madrid-based MARCA offer a conflicting outlook on the Messi negotiations with their front page reading: 'No offer, no plan to convince — Barca play with fire in Messi's renewal.'
But last week, Bartomeu said the renewal was 'essential' for Barcelona and predicted negotiations would have 'a happy ending'.
On Thursday night, Barcelona will travel to Real Sociedad's Anoeta ground, where they have not won in a decade, in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.
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