Barcelona will offer Lionel Messi a ‘contract for life’ to end hopes of a Premier League switch… but not before they hand Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez new deals
Nou Camp chiefs hope to kill speculation linking the Argentinian superstar with a move to Chelsea or Manchester City by agreeing mega deal until end of his career
BARCELONA are ready to offer Lionel Messi a contract for life.
The Argentinian superstar has just two years remaining on his current deal and was linked with Manchester City and Chelsea in the last transfer window.
But the La Liga champions will seek to end speculation with a mega new contract.
And Catalan out claims they will try to tie Messi down for the rest of his career.
Messi’s future in Spain was plunged into doubt earlier this summer when he was sentenced to 21 months in jail for committing tax fraud.
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The 29-year-old – who is appealing the decision – was placed on probation and has served no time behind bars.
But he was believed to be unhappy with the support he received from Barca chiefs during the high-profile case.
And SunSport exclusively revealed that Chelsea were ready to test the waters with a world record bid after owner Roman Abramovich held secret talks with Messi’s father on his superyacht.
While long-time admirers City hope the appointment of former Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola could tempt the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to Manchester.
But Barca director Albert Soler is hopeful Messi will commit to being a one-club man, like former team-mates Carles Puyol and Xavi.
He said: “This is his home and it is another case of a player who, if he wants, can finish his career here.
“Homegrown players can stay for as long as they want to be here. They are our flag-bearers, our emblems.”
Barcelona bosses believe Messi performs best when he is comfortable in his surroundings – and around team-mates he can trust.
Neymar, Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano have already agreed new deals in recent months.
And Soler admits he will seek to tie down Luis Suarez and Manchester United target Ivan Rakitic before opening talks with their main man.
He added: “We have closed 22 transactions, with three renewals of Mascherano, Busquets and Neymar Jr, which are very important.
“We must now renew the deals of Rakitic and Suarez, then Messi. We never stop.
“Those three are next, in order of priority.