Joan Laporta is growing increasingly confident that Lionel Messi will stay despite accepting that he will have to cut his wages.
The Barcelona star’s future has been a talking point all year following his attempts to quit the Nou Camp last summer.
Messi will have to make a decision on his next move come the end of the season and the Catalan’s chief is looking to persuade him that he should stay put.
Barcelona’s mammoth debts mean they can no longer afford Messi’s €75m net annually salary.
As a result Laporta is looking to tie the Argentine down to a three-year deal – which goes against Messi’s preferred system of signing on every two years.
The 34-year-old wants to remain at the summit of the game, challenging for the top honours.
Barcelona, who have bought through a host of young talent, are aware that a marquee signing would increase Messi’s desire to stay.
As a result they are looking to finance a move for either Erling Haaland or Neymar, reports ESPN.
The former’s representatives were recently pictured in Span whilst the Brazilian left the Nou Camp in 2017. Messi is known to have a good relationship with the PSG star, although he is reportedly close to penning a new deal in Paris.
Jorge Messi, the player’s father and agent, arrived in Europe last weekend and will oversee renewal talks with the Spanish giants.
Messi did discuss a move away earlier this season as he talked up a switch to the MLS later in his career.
“I always had the dream of being able to enjoy and have the experience of living in the United States and experience what the league there is like,” he told La Sexta.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner recently played a starring role in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey triumph.
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