Joan Laporta ‘convinced’ Lionel Messi will sign a new deal at Barcelona | OneFootball

ESPN report that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is convinced club captain Lionel Messi will stay at the club and said everything is progressing well, although ESPN say sources admit that he hasn’t yet been offered a new contract at the club despite a report on Friday suggesting a first offer had been made this week.

Laporta spoke with optimism ahead of this weekend’s Copa del Rey final.

“Everything is progressing adequately,” the new club president told Deportes Cuatro ahead of the final, where Barca will take on Athletic Club on Saturday.

“I will do everything within the club’s capabilities to get him to stay. That’s what we’re doing. Messi is motivated. He is an extraordinary person and I am convinced that he will want to continue at Barca.”

Messi’s existing deal expires in June and he will be free to leave the Primera club if he doesn’t sign new terms.