Transfer Rumors: Barcelona, Lionel Messi On The Verge Of Contract Extension

Lionel Messi and Barcelona may be running things back after rumors of club president Joan Laporta wanting to announce the Argentinian's new deal sooner than expected.

It was reported in May that Messi wanted to wait it out with Barca before deciding on his future with the club.

ESPN reported via Le 10 Sport that a deal between Messi and Barca may have already been reached and that Laporta is seeking to make the deal public on Thursday.

In the timeframe since Messi wanted out of Camp Nou in August, Messi was also linked to a move to either Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.

However, recent developments within Barca may have enticed the Argentinian to stay.

Sergio Aguero agreed to sign a two-year contract with the La Liga giants on a free transfer and will join the club as early as July 1.

Aguero made his name in the English Premier League as a prolific goal-scorer who can find the back of the net at any time.

He leaves Manchester City as the club’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals in 390 appearances.

The Catalan club has also announced on June 19 that they have signed Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay until the end of the 2022-2023 season.

Messi’s contract was set to run out on June 30, but this news suggests that Messi will give it another run moving forward--at least until 2023.

The club will be headlined by a highly-potent attacking line of Messi, Aguero and Depay--with Antoine Griezmann potentially being moved to the bench.

Barca may not be done with the transfers as they’ll still be looking to improve their backline this summer.

The Blaugrana is expected to pay Messi his contract over the course of five years as Barca is reportedly facing an economic crisis with debts reaching around €1 billion ($1.2 billion) and that has been one of the reasons why an extension for the 33-year-old Argentinian has taken this long.