Barcelona closing in on Sergio Aguero, more optimism about Lionel Messi future

Lionel Messi-Antoine Griezmann-Barcelona

Aguero deal imminent

Barcelona are reportedly closing in on the signing of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who is due to leave Etihad as a free agent this summer.

The speculations of the Argentine moving to the Catalan club intensified after his agents were spotted in the Catalonia capital.

Now, reports are stating that there had been negotiations over the past two days between Aguero and Barca to strike a new deal.

Another report states that the Catalan club has offered a two-year deal while Aguero is also said to have agreed to a pay cut to complete his transfer to Barca.

Barca have been linked with a flurry of strikers ahead of the summer transfer window, and it looks like they have settled with Aguero due to his free transfer.

Aguero is very close to joining Barcelona. The Man City striker has agreed to a salary cut. — TyC Sports
[La Porteria] | The agreement between Aguero and Barça is close. His lawyers have already received the drafted contract, and his entourage is optimistic.

Barca remain optimistic over Messi’s future

Next up is Aguero’s Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi, who has his contract expiring this summer. 

However, Barca reportedly believe that their skipper would eventually agree to a new deal without any drama like last summer.

Messi’s father and his agent, Jorge Mendes, has been recently spotted in Barcelona, which has increased the speculation regarding the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future that he would stay beyond the summer.

Earlier, Barca president Joan Laporta stated that the contract talks with Messi have been going in the right direction.

The 33-year-old played a key role behind Ronald Koeman’s side lifting the Copa del Rey title, scoring two goals against Athletic Club in the final.

A few days after becoming Barcelona president, Joan Laporta and Leo Messi went out to eat together. Messi was pretty clear, saying that he would leave Barça this summer. However, after what he heard from the president, he opened the possibility of staying at the club. — MD