THE BARCELONA PRESIDENT BELIEVES THAT THE CONTRACT TALKS WITH MESSI ARE ON TRACK DESPITE HIS FREE AGENCY STATUS

Lionel Messi is officially a free agent after seeing his contract expire at Barcelona. The Argentine superstar has seen his previous deal at Camp Nou expire. But there remains confidence in Catalunya that fresh terms will be agreed. Barcelona president Joan Laporta says “everything is on track” to keep the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID?

Laporta has disclosed to El Transistor when requested a report on a long-running agreement adventure: “We need Messi to remain and Leo needs to remain, everything is on target.

“WE HAVE THE ISSUE OF REASONABLE PLAY, WE ARE CURRENTLY TRACKING DOWN THE BEST ANSWER FOR THE TWO PLAYERS.”

WILL BARCA BEAR THE COST OF AN ARRANGEMENT?

It has been uncovered that the Liga goliaths are €1.2 billion (£1.1b/$1.5b) paying off debtors, which is making life troublesome with regards to haggling new agreements and getting new faces ready.

Messi is a line in another arrangement, however, and any semblance of Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, and Memphis Depay have been gobbled up as free specialists.

Laporta added on the deterrents he is defeating in a second spell as Barca president: “When I showed up in 2003, and as it was all new, we made a little upset and everything worked out in a good way. Presently I am reviving and individuals are exceptionally energized.

“THE TEST IS COLOSSAL IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT IT WILL REQUEST A TON OF US AND I LIKE THIS IS ON THE GROUNDS THAT I AM READY.”

WILL THE SUPER LEAGUE OCCUR?

Barca had been expecting to create assets by joining the much-censured European Super League, yet wild resistance to those plans has prompted the venture being retired.

Laporta anticipates that it should be pushed through at some stage, with world class sides across the landmass hoping to add another cash turning contest to their timetable.

“We are in an exceptionally convoluted monetary circumstance; on the lookout, there is no cash, you need to eliminate and change things – that is the reason there’s the Super League.

“[La Liga president] Javier Tebas must be evident that the Super League won’t influence the Spanish League; Barca will need to win the alliance consistently.

“SOMETIME THE ENGLISH CLUBS WILL LAMENT THE CHOICE THEY HAVE TAKEN TO LEAVE THE SUPER LEAGUE.”