Joan Laporta 'confident of keeping Lionel Messi at Barcelona'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly becoming increasingly confident of keeping Lionel Messi at the club beyond the end of June.

The Argentina international's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire this summer, and Manchester City are still said to be keen to bring the 33-year-old to the Premier League.

Barca's financial problems had led to suggestions that the Catalan giants would be unable to hand Messi the package that he would want to sign a new deal at the club.

However, according to Marca, Laporta is convinced that, despite the financial issues, he can 'make a convincing offer' to the South American.

The report claims that the new president is also hopeful that a planned move for Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland will convince Messi to extend his stay at Camp Nou.

The attacker, who has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, will soon sit down with his father and Laporta to discuss a possible extension.

Messi has again been in impressive form at club level during the 2020-21 campaign, scoring 29 times and contributing 13 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.