The Bacelona manger confident new contract will be agreed with Argentina international at Camp Nou, forbid him from come to free agency
Ronald Koeman says Lionel Messi "has to finish his career at Barcelona", with the Blaugrana boss expecting a contract extension for the mercurial Argentine to be announced "soon".
Messi as yet to formalized his decision on his future, with the six-time Ballon, be that as it may seeing his present contract run down towards free agency.
The belief is, however, that he will continue a career-long tie with Bacelona, with new clause on the table and set to be undertake..
Koeman said on Sport when questioned to tell the latest new information on a long-running saga in Catalunya: "Messi has to finish his career at Barcelona, so I hope we can make it official soon."
Barca president Joan Laporta has confirmed many times even before he came back to office at Camp Nou, that he strongly confident Messi will sign a new contract.
That message has been repeated, even though he has hint that documentation will not be completed in an imminent manner by a man presently away on Copa America duty with his country.
"The renewal isn’t at an advanced stage," Laporta has admitted.
"It’s okay, I believe that Leo’s boots will stay on Camp Nou’s pitch.
"I can’t contemplate a no from Messi; he wants to stay. We’re doing what we can but there’s no need to seduce him."