Barcelona in talks over a new deal for Lionel Messi, reveals Eric Abidal

Despite spending nearly 18 years with Barcelona, a report in September indicated that Lionel Messi could leave at the end of any season for free. That clause in his contract was later confirmed by president Josep Maria Bartomeu with the Barcelona chief even admitting that a lot of stars at the club do have that clause as well. However, that has caused a few problems for the club with the Argentine heavily linked with a move away.

Both Manchester City and David Beckham's new MLS side Inter Miami are said to be the front-runners but Sporting Director Eric Abidal has finally confirmed that the club are in talks with Messi over a new deal, one that would potentially see him retire at Barcelona.  The Frenchman also admitted that any decision depends solely on the Argentine but the club does indeed hope that everything is done as soon as possible.

"They are already talking. I do not know if we will have news soon because the decision will depend on the player, but for us as a club I hope it is sorted as soon as possible. It will be known when it is known, but I am positive,” Abidal told Mundo Deportivo.

Yet Messi is not the only one in discussions over a new contract with reports indicating that super-starlet Ansu Fati might get a new deal to reward his performances. The academy product has impressed in his breakthrough campaign for the club this season and made quite the impact especially when Lionel Messi was out injured. That has seen many hail Fati as a future superstar as Abidal also went on to reveal that the club are talking to Fati as well.

"We are also talking to him [Ansu Fati]. He is a young player that we have to protect. We have to talk to his family and representatives," Abidal said.