Spanish reports say Barcelona is preparing to offer a lifetime contract deal to persuade legend Lionel Messi to stay at the Nou Camp.
Messi, 33, expires next summer, and he can move freely to any team he wants.
The newspaper "AS" (AS) said that maintaining Messi as a trademark for Barcelona for life was a goal of the three candidates in the club's presidential elections, and could be achieved by Joan Laporta, who won the presidency.
The new president has close ties with Messi, confirmed by the go-to leader of the Blaugrana to cast his vote in the elections, and the warm embrace between the two at the inauguration of Laporta as president of the club.
Hugs.
Joan Laporta, Leo #Messi and Šarūnas Jasikevičius pic.twitter.com/c7HgtX0MRI
FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 17, 2021
The ceremony, which was hosted by the Camp Nou stadium, witnessed the presence of many members of the first team, headed by Messi and team coach Ronald Koeman.
In his speech at the ceremony, Laporta assured that he would do his best to persuade Messi to stay with the team and renew his contract, which expires next June. You can't leave, Leo, and we'll try to convince you. "
The idea of the club’s proposal is that Messi agree to delay some sums of money for the time being;
Because of the financial crisis, left by the Corona pandemic, in return for obtaining a contract that guarantees him a salary from the club for life.
According to the newspaper, under these types of deals, the only case in which Messi will not receive a salary from Barcelona will be when he plays for another club.
She added that Messi is expected to decide his future before the end of the current season in which he is starring with the Catalan team.