Barcelona President Joan Laporta is reported to be working on a three-year contract extension with superstar Lionel Messi. Messi has been reported on both sides of the fence with Barca for the better part of a year.
It is widely known that economics have changed for the Spanish club, and they can no longer afford Messi’s tremendous €75 million annual salary. Laporta is reported by ESPN to be working on a number of different financial formulas to keep Messi signed with the club.
ESPN is reporting today that Barca is seeking a longer deal with Messi so he is compensated over the course of several years, which would spread out the costs for the club.
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The Argentinian superstar will turn 34 in June, which has created a media frenzy around his potential free agency as this may be his last few years of world class, elite play.
Messi’s contract is due to expire at the June, and the majority of his media statements have been focused on only renewing on a year-to-year basis.
“I always had the dream of being able to enjoy and have the experience of living in the United States and experience what the league there is like,” he told La Sexta.
Whatever Messi has planned for his twilight years as a player, potentially in the MLS with Inter Miami, Laporta is dead set on retaining him for at least the next few years.
Stay tuned for more reporting on Messi’s contract negotiations.
