Messi to sign new deal this summer, says Barcelona chief

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has revealed Lionel Messi will sign a new contract this season.

Neymar, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Rafinha have all extended their deals since the end of last season and Messi is next on the club’s list.

The Argentina international has entered the final two years of his existing deal but Barcelona hope to have Messi remain at the club for the rest of his career.

“The president [Josep Maria Bartomeu] has already said. This year there are a number of situations we need to solve,” Fernandez told Spanish publication Sport, via The Daily Mirror.

“As was the case with Rafinha, Busquets, Neymar and Mascherano, people said we wouldn’t reach an agreement, but in the end there were no problems.

“I’m delighted that he’s [Messi] the No.1 in the world and that he’s with us. We will reach an agreement. I’m totally convinced. There’s no rush. This season we will reach an agreement. Like we did with Rafinha, Mascherano, Busi and Neymar.”

Only two players that have featured in more than one game has achieved a higher WhoScored rating across Europe’s big five leagues than Messi (8.60).

For more stats on Lionel Messi, click here to visit his WhoScored player page