Barcelona 'preparing to hold crunch talks with Lionel Messi'

Barcelona are reportedly planning to hold crunch talks with Lionel Messi as they attempt to convince the Argentine to sign a new contract at Camp Nou.

The 33-year-old's current deal with the Catalan giants is due to expire at the end of June, and Manchester City are believed to be the favourites to sign him if he does decide to move on.

Messi is now thought to be open to the idea of penning a fresh contract, though, with Barca recently confirming Joan Laporta as their new president.

According to The Sun, the La Liga outfit are preparing to hold crunch talks with the South American and his father before the end of the month.

The report claims that Messi wants Barca to guarantee that they will be active in the upcoming transfer windows as he is only willing to commit if the club are still capable of challenging for the major trophies.

Ronald Koeman's side are also allegedly hopeful that their plans to move for Man City's Sergio Aguero will help convince the attacker to pen a new deal.

Messi has scored 25 times and registered 11 assists in 35 outings at club level this term.