Joan Laporta 'convinced' Lionel Messi wants to stay at Barcelona and is working on new deal
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ByEurosport
Published 16/04/2021 at 19:45 GMT
Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain and lost ground in the La Liga title race with defeat to Real Madrid in the Clasico last weekend, but they can pick up some silverware on Saturday when they take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey final. Barca have not won a trophy since 2018-19.
Koeman accepts he 'needs to win trophies' to stay at Barcelona
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is 'convinced' Lionel Messi wants to sign a new deal at the club.
Messi’s future is shrouded in doubt as he enters the final few months of his current agreement and has maintained that he would not make a decision on his future until the summer.
His public efforts to force a move from the club last year have fuelled suggestions that he could head for pastures new, but new president Laporta feels the Argentina international is committed to the club and minded to stay.
"Everything is progressing well,” Laporta . "I will do everything within the club's capabilities to get him to continue with us. That's what we're doing.
"Leo is very motivated. He is an extraordinary person who wants to continue at Barca, I am convinced of that."
The mood within the Barca camp has shifted since Laporta was appointed president in March.
He had a fruitful relationship with Messi during his previous tenure, and had the support of the 33-year-old during the presidential elections.
Much could hinge on whether Barca end a trophy drought that dates back to the 2018-19 season.
They crashed out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain and lost ground in the La Liga title race with defeat to Real Madrid last weekend, but they can pick up some silverware on Saturday when they take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey final.
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