Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'waiting to hear Joan Laporta proposal before deciding future'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 05 April 2021

Messi 'waiting to hear Laporta proposal before deciding future'

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is reportedly waiting to hear Joan Laporta's proposal for the club's future before making any decisions over his contract.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is reportedly waiting to hear Joan Laporta's proposal for the club's future before reaching a decision on his own plans.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is thought to be leaning towards a contract extension at the club, but as things stand he will become a free agent at the end of the season and is already able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs elsewhere.

However, the re-election of Laporta as president has supposedly led to Messi rethinking his plans after he tried and failed to force a move away last year, but the Argentine is believed to have laid out a list of demands that the club must meet if he is to stay in Catalonia.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Messi is now waiting to hear Laporta's plans for Barcelona both on and off the pitch, and he will not make any decisions on his future before listening to the president's proposal.

The report adds that Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are still in the running to sign Messi should he become a free agent, but he could be convinced to pen fresh terms at Barcelona if Laporta's vision for the future aligns with his goals.

The 33-year-old has registered 29 goals and 13 assists from 37 appearances in all tournaments this season for Ronald Koeman's side, who take on Real Valladolid in La Liga on Monday night.