8:54 AM ETSam MarsdenMoises LlorensLionel Messi and Barcelona have reached an agreement for the forward to sign a new five-year handle the Catalan club, sources have actually verified to ESPN. Sources included that Messi has actually accepted a considerable wage reduction to prolong his stay.Messi was a totally free agent after his agreement at Barca expired, and he had actually courted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City given that very first revealing a desire to end his 20-year relationship with Barca last summertime. The 34-year-olds previous agreement, which deserved over EUR500 million ($594m) over 4 years, ended at the stroke of midnight on June 30. However, with the return of Joan Laporta as president in March, Messi grew more available to staying at Camp Nou. An official announcement is anticipated in the coming days.Laporta had actually intended to settle an agreement before Messis previous terms ended. Barcas monetary issues made that difficult, though, with their gross financial obligation over EUR1 billion. Cutbacks have actually been important, in terms of moving gamers out, lowering the wage expense and getting Messi to accept a lower salary.La Liga president Javier Tebas has actually alerted Barca they will not be allowed to register Messis brand-new offer if they are not able to lower costs to abide by the leagues Financial Fair Play guidelines. Barcas costs limitation has actually been decreased from over EUR600m to EUR347m considering that the coronavirus pandemic, with further reductions anticipated to be imposed for the upcoming season.Therefore, to sign up Messis new offer, in addition to brand-new finalizings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal, Barca need to continue minimizing the wage expense and moving players on. With that in mind, sources at the club refuse to eliminate the departure of Antoine Griezmann, a EUR120m finalizing in 2019.- Messi at Barcelona: The Ultimate History- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)- La Liga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)Messi is on holiday with his household after his Copa America glory with Argentina last weekend, which was his very first senior trophy with his national team.He will link with Ronald Koemans squad later on in the summer, with Barcas league project kicking off on Aug. 15 against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.Messi had actually initially expressed a desire to leave Barca last August after the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. His relationship with then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu had actually reached a breaking point. In a September 2020 interview with Goal, after Barca had actually obstructed his departure, Messi called Bartomeu a “liar” and said the board had been “making things up as they go along” and “plugging holes” for years.Bartomeu, facing a vote of no self-confidence, resigned last October and was eventually replaced by Laporta in March. Laporta has a good relationship with Messi and his family. He was Barcas president when Messi made his first-team launching and when he signed his very first expert agreement with the club.Sources informed ESPN in April that Laporta was working on a contract renewal for Messi that included the option of playing in Major League Soccer before going back to Barcelona.In public and in personal, Laporta had constantly kept that he was “persuaded” he might encourage Messi to remain. The club have already made a series of signings this summer season, bringing in Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia, as well as recalling Emerson Royal.Messi first signed up with Barcas academy in 2000 and has gone on to play 778 games for the club, breaking Xavi Hernandezs appearance record last season. He has scored 672 objectives, another club record, and has helped Barca win, amongst other trophies, 10 La Liga titles and the Champions League on four celebrations.

Sources included that Messi has accepted a substantial wage reduction to extend his stay.Messi was a complimentary representative after his contract at Barca expired, and he had actually courted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City because very first revealing a desire to end his 20-year relationship with Barca last summer season. Barcas spending limit has been decreased from over EUR600m to EUR347m since the coronavirus pandemic, with additional decreases anticipated to be enforced for the upcoming season.Therefore, to sign up Messis brand-new offer, in addition to new finalizings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal, Barca need to continue reducing the wage expense and moving players on.- Messi at Barcelona: The Ultimate History- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)- La Liga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE video games and replays (U.S. just)Messi is on vacation with his family after his Copa America magnificence with Argentina last weekend, which was his very first senior trophy with his nationwide team.He will link up with Ronald Koemans team later in the summer, with Barcas league project kicking off on Aug. 15 versus Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.Messi had first expressed a desire to leave Barca last August after the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.