Lionel Messi set for contract talks as father lands in Barcelona to discuss new deal

The Argentine forward's dad and agent has travelled to Catalonia in an attempt to discuss the possibility of extending his son's stay until 2022 and trumping Cristiano Ronaldo's new deal.

Lionel Messi's father and agent, Jorge Messi, has arrived in Barcelona with the intention of opening negotiations with the club over a new contract for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
With Neymar's contract renewed in the summer and a deal for Luis Suarez on the brink of completion, the club's prime objective is giving their star player a new deal and ensuring he remains a "one club man".
Messi's current contract expires in the summer of 2018, meaning in little over a year he could agree to sign for any side as a free agent if a new contract is not agreed on.
However both the club and player are confident of reaching a deal, which would see Messi become the best paid player in the world and sign on until 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo penned his new contract with Real Madrid at the start of November on over £500,000 per week, which is where negotiations over Messi's deal will start.
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have made no secret of the fact they would love to sign Messi if he cannot find a solution that works for him at Barcelona, as unlikely as that is.

There are three factors which have an influence in Messi's decision. One is economics, although the club understands the Argentine deserves to be earning more than any other player in world football, so it should not prove problematic.

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