Barcelona president says he will “personally handle” Messi contract talks

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has insisted that Lionel Messi wants to stay at the club and confirms that talks over a contract extension have begun.

Messi’s current deal runs out in 2018 and Barca chief executive, Oscar Grau, admitted that La Liga’s spending cap could prove troublesome in the negotiations.

Bartomeu, who said last month, that they were willing to make the Argentine the highest-paid player in the world, says he is calm about keeping Messi at Camp Nou.

“There aren’t any nerves. I want to reassure everyone, I will personally take care of the negotiations with Leo and his family,” he said on Esport3.

“Everything requires time. We want Messi to remain here, but I will not give out any details.

“We are talking with his people. He is the best in the world, he wants to stay here and we want him to as well.

“Everything will be done with discretion and calmness. Of course it is an essential renewal for the club.

“I have already said the sooner the better – nothing has changed.”

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