Barcelona president Joan Laporta has provided an update on contract talks with star player Lionel Messi.
Joan Laporta has announced contract talks with Lionel Messi are ‘going well’ but admits no deal has been agreed upon yet.
The Barcelona president hopes to avoid the unthinkable by allowing Messi to leave Camp Nou as a free agent this summer. With only a month left on his contract, he can sign for a new club in July.
❝#Messi's new contract is going well, but it's not done yet.❞
— Barça president, @JoanLaportaFCB pic.twitter.com/UADPwfmUGa
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 28, 2021
But while nothing is set in stone, Laporta has ‘moderate optimism’ he can strike a deal with the club’s captain.
“Messi’s new contract is going well, but it has not been done,” said Laporta in a press conference on Friday as per Goal.
“We must continue working with all the executives involved. We will make a proposal that sits within the possibilities of the club.
“The relationship is good. We are preparing whatever is necessary within the possibilities of the club for Leo to continue.”
Laporta confirms – in English – that Barca have '1.2bn Euro debt + around 350m Euros annual losses'. "I am quite optimistic in maximum two seasons, the club will be healthy financially. I am quite optimistic we will have a very competitive team next season."#Barca #Barcelona
— Krrish Smith (@Krrishsmith1) May 28, 2021
Given Barcelona’s financial state, amid reports of debts surpassing the €1 billion mark, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Messi would have to accept a drop in salary to prolong his Blaugrana career.
“We have made an offer within the possibilities of Barca,” admitted Laporta.
“Leo surely deserves much more and can achieve more. But, because of his desire to make Barca great, I think he is appreciating the effort being made and I think he is very excited to continue.
“It is not a question of money, it is a team project with the possibility of winning everything. We have moderate optimism.”
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