After two weeks of tense calm, Barcelona are close to sealing a deal with their top star Lionel Messi to stay until 2026.
The contract that the player would sign would include a reduction of his wages to half, something that he would not be unhappy about as he understands the complicated economic situation the club is going through.
The 34-year-old is currently a free agent after his last contract (which paid him $160 million per season) expired on 30 June.
At the moment, the deal is not yet official and its announcement will depend on the departure of several players that will allow the viability of Messi’s new contract.
After the departures of players such as Junior Firpo, Carles Aleña, Francisco Trincao or Jean Clair-Todibo, the next on the list would be Antoine Griezmann.
According to the international press, Barcelona are in advanced talks to swap the striker for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez.
Both Griezmann and Ñíguez would be happy with this arrangement, however, another key aspect of the negotiation has yet to be resolved: Barcelona claim the Frenchman’s value is higher than the Spaniard’s and want money as part of the deal.
Getting rid of ‘Grizou’s’ huge salary would help Messi’s contract not prevent the club from staying within La Liga’s financial fair play regulations.
