Messi wants to stay - Laporta as he waits for FFP to confirm agreement

Joan Laporta

, the

president, believes

Lionel Messi

is going to stay at Camp Nou and the only thing stopping them from pronouncing a contract renewal is financial regulations.

The Argentina international may leave the Blaugrana when his contract expires this month and the club have been eager to get his signature for a new contract.

The 33-year-old tried to go out the exit door last year, wanting to practice his release clause, but opted to stay as he did not want to fight his way out.

Laporta claims to have convinced the Argentina star to stay and they are aiming to put pen to paper “as soon as possible”.

“

Leo Messi's boots will continue on the Camp Nou pitch. He wants to stay. I do not contemplate a no. It isn't easy. We'll do what we can,"

Laporta said.

"There is no need to seduce him, he is determined if there are a series of circumstances to stay."

He added:

"He is OK but he hasn't signed yet. Kun Aguero tells him every day: 'Sign that, we will play together

'."

The club president revealed that the reason behind an agreement not being confirmed is that Barca should balance their books to act in accordance with UEFA Financial Fair Play Rules.

In order to be able to retain Messi’s services, Barca need to cash in on some players.

"

In economic terms, he has made it very easy, but financial fair play is another battleground,"

he said.

"We have to follow the rules, we will follow them. There will be more sales and loans. Without paying a transfer fee. We will do a lot of loans, because we have a very high sports payroll compared to other clubs."

Notwithstanding a disappointing 2020-21 season, the Argentine is once again La Liga’s top scorer. He met the back of the net 30 times in 35 matches, which was seven more than Gerard Moreno’s goals.

He also found the target five times in the Champions League and three times in the Copa del Rey, the only accomplishment they had last season.

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