Lionel Messi On Brink To Sign New Mega Barcelona Deal

Negotiations over a new deal for Lionel Messi has progressed “very, very well”, according to Barcelona first-team secretary Robert Fernandez.

Foottheball sources claim that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has now made a tempting offer to tie down the Argentine star on a long-term deal and is negotiating the terms and conditions with Messi’s representatives.

Lionel Messi’s current contract at Barcelona expires in 2018 and he has been linked with a move to top-flight European clubs. Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City are also in the race to lure away the Argentine ace to the Premier League.

However, his club teammate Luis Suarez had insisted that Lionel Messi is happy at Nou Camp and would stay put at the club.

And now first-team secretary Robert Fernandez has insisted that Messi, captain Andres Iniesta and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will follow Suarez, Neymar, Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano and will sign new deals with the La Liga giants.

Robert said: “Leo’s renovation is going very well, very well. I’m very relaxed, as I was before with Mascherano, Busquets, Suarez or Neymar.”

“And I am now with Messi, as I am with Iniesta or Ter Stegen. We’re working and I’m convinced that they’ll continue with Barca.”

“It doesn’t matter much who will be the first to renew. There will be people who want to poison the situation, but we’ve been working on this issue for a long time.”

Age is only a number for Lionel Messi and he has held on to his incredible form with 28 goals and nine assists to his name from 26 appearances and Robert is confident that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will stay put at the club.

Robert added: “Leo has reached a point where it seems like he plays better than three or five years ago.”

“He gets better all the time. He can pull a rabbit from the hat at any moment and in any situation on the pitch.”

“If we did a survey among the fans, we’d ask if Messi is better now or before.”

“Leo is the best player in the world. There is no doubt. I’ve been close to [Diego] Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff, [Alfredo] Di Stefano… but Leo is different. He’s capable of doing well for many years.”

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique refused to guarantee his contract extension with the Spanish club.

Luis Enrique’s current contract with Barcelona expires at the end of this season and the Spaniard is yet to begin negotiations over a new contract with the defending La Liga champions.

And football pundits believe that Luis Enrique might leave the club next summer.

Robert added: “I want to give Luis Enrique a lot of peace,” he said. I know him very well and he will decide when he’ll tell the president and me.”

He also accentuated that full-back Aleix Vidal is not for sale at any cost during the on-going January transfer window.

He added: “Aleix Vidal stays, I’m clear about that. We’re happy with the reaction he has had. I don’t think there will be any movement in January.”