Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is reportedly in constant contact with Lionel Messi's father, Jorge, as the two sides formally negotiate a new contract for the five-time Ballon d'Or winning superstar. Barça maintain public confidence that a deal will be reached.
World football was rocked last year when it was alleged that Messi had turned down the offer of a contract extension during the summer and was planning to see out his current terms - due to expire in 2018 - before making a decision on his future.
That had prompted mass speculation about a transfer to the likes of Manchester City, where he could reunite with Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain, or Manchester United.
But, following on from technical secretary Robert Fernandez's recent comments expressing great optimism, the latest offering from Mundo Deportivo suggests that a renewal at Camp Nou is now increasingly the most likely outcome from the ongoing saga.
It is said that Bartomeu and Messi Sr. have already discussed a number of specific details of Barcelona's offer of fresh terms - including salary and the length of the deal, to 2022.
The talking so far has done from opposite sides of the world, but it is further stated that negotiations will step up significantly next month when Jorge Messi arrives in Spain from his base in Argentina to start discussing things with Bartomeu face to face.
Barcelona are apparently hopeful of having things all tied up by the end of March.
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