Barcelona President Joan Laporta has insisted that contract talks with Lionel Messi are ‘progressing adequately’ with the La Liga outfit hoping to keep the Argentine at the club for a few more seasons.
Messi is currently a free agent after seeing his deal at Camp Nou expires on June 30, but the Catalonians are hoping to agree terms to resign their talismanic forward in the coming weeks.
Multiple reports also suggest that the La Liga giants are still working creating a sizeable salary budget that will see Messi tied to fresh terms.
Speaking at the presentation of Mago Pop’s show ‘Nothing is impossible’, Laporta told reporters: “[Messi’s renewal] is progressing adequately.
“All the Catalans, Barcelona, Catalunya and the entire football world are happy because Leo won the Copa America.
“It is very exciting to see the best player in football history get excited about winning a title like this and he made all of us cry with joy.
“He is very happy, we are all happy, I am happy for Leo who has managed [to win the Copa America], together with his team-mates, and that Argentina are once again in the elite, and [I am] also [happy] for [Sergio] Aguero.
“I am happy for Messi’s family, for Argentina, for Barcelona who are recognised, admired and loved for having this bond with Leo.”
Messi’s progress has been monitored by several top European clubs since the turn of the year. But the 34-year-old is likely to stay in Spain.
The just concluded Copa America saw the six-time Ballon d’Or winner break a 15-year international tournament hoodoo after Argentina pip Brazil 1-0 to win this year’s edition.
