Report: Messi set for Barcelona contract talks

Barcelona are poised to open contract discussions with Lionel Messi as the Argentine talisman approaches the final two years of his deal at the Camp Nou, sources told ESPN FC's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu will reportedly lead discussions with Messi's agent and father, Jorge.

Messi's current contract includes a clause to extend it for the 2022 season, though Bartomeu is understood to be eyeing a new agreement for four years, through 2023, at which point the attacker would have turned 36.

He stated in January that he'd like to finish his playing career with the 26-time La Liga winners.

A new agreement for Messi would mark his 10th since penning his first professional contract with the Catalan side in 2004. His last renewal came in 2017, and it bumped his release clause to an astounding €700 million.