Barcelona to make Lionel Messi’s new contract official TOMORROW in huge boost to cash-strapped LaLiga giants

BARCELONA hope to announce Lionel Messi’s new contract on Thursday, according to reports.

Messi, 34, has reportedly agreed a new five-year deal after months of speculation linking him with an exit.

He is believed to agreed to an extension on reduced terms, with Barcelona desperately needing to reduce their wage bill.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident of being able to announce Messi’s new contract soon, with just the finer details left to be sorted.

Laporta spoke about the situation earlier this week, he said: “We are doing what we can. It is not completely resolved yet but it is progressing well and in the line that we have all thought.

“We will do everything possible within the possibilities of the club so that Messi continues. We have many possibilities because we have a player who wants to continue.”

But even if the deal is confirmed tomorrow it is possible Barcelona will not register Messi as a player with LaLiga, as the Catalans are significantly over the salary cap.

And because of that, Barcelona’s four summer signings – Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal – are still yet to be registered.

The cash-strapped club will have to sell players to lower the amount they are spending on wages.

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Barcelona have until August 15 to register Messi and the others if they are to be available for the first league game of the season.

And after fighting off interest in Messi from Manchester City since last summer, Laporta will likely do everything he can to register the Argentine.

Paris Saint-Germain were also believed to be interested in the forward, who revealed he had a desire to leave Barcelona this time last year.

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