Barcelona: Barcelona contract negotiations with Lionel Messi “developed as expected”, Club President Joan Laporta told Spanish public television on Friday.
Argentina superstar, who is currently in the Copa America, became a free agent on Thursday when his last contract with Barcelona expired.
“We want him to stay, Leo wants to stay and we are looking for the best formula,” Laporta said.
“We want to be concluded as soon as possible but we know it will take time.” Messi, 34, joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old player but tried to leave last August, citing clauses in his contract and the club that had “no project or anything for a long time”.
He must have been connected with a series of possible movements, from Manchester City and Paris St-Germain to David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Joan Laporta said Barcelona spoke with Lionel Messi ‘forward’
