Barcelona set to announce Messi’s contract extension; departure unthinkable
After what has been an eventful start to the summer for Barcelona, things may be about to get even better for the fans. A report from The Athletic is now claiming that the Catalans could announce the contract extension of club captain and talisman Lionel Messi before the end of the month.
Messi’s future has been a much-discussed topic ever since he tried to leave the club in the summer last year after the disastrous 2019/20 term. While he decided to stay on for another year, the 33-year-old’s contract is up for expiry on June 30.
Over the course of the 2020/21 term, Messi had been linked with transfers to Manchester City, where he would have reunited with former mentor Pep Guardiola. Links to PSG, where he would have teamed up with close friend Neymar, have also been doing the rounds for a while.
However, it seems like Barcelona are about to put all those rumours to bed for good. The Athletic is claiming that Messi is set to sign a new contract with the Blaugrana, with the extension likely to be announced before his current deal runs out at the end of the month.
President Joan Laporta, back for his second term at the club, has been insistent that he would be doing everything possible to convince Messi to stay put at Camp Nou. And, it seems like he may have succeeded in his mission.
The signing of Messi’s Argentine teammate and close friend Sergio Aguero from Manchester City on a free transfer may have played a crucial part.
Despite players being away on international duty with their respective nations for the UEFA Euro 2020 and the Copa America 2021, Barcelona have gone about their transfer business quite efficiently. Aguero has already been joined by Eric Garcia, Emerson Royal and Memphis Depay.
The impending contract signing of Messi will be another step in the right direction for the Blaugrana as they continue their rebuild under Laporta. As the report mentions, it is unthinkable for him to leave Barcelona this summer.
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