Joan Laporta vows to do "everything possible" to keep Lionel Messi at Barcelona

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has vowed to do "everything possible" to persuade Lionel Messi to sign a new deal at Camp Nou.

The Argentina international agreed to stay with the Catalan giants for another season after failing in an attempt to force through a move last summer.

However, Messi is now into the final four months of his contract and is free to discuss a move to foreign clubs, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain interested.

Barca are unable to match City and PSG in terms of wages, but Laporta insists that it is not purely about money for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"I will do everything possible for Messi to stay," he told Sky Italia.

"Messi should be valued with the affection he deserved and with a suitable financial package, but it's not about money.

"He needs a winning sporting proposal, Leo wants to win again with Barcelona.

"I know him well, I have a good personal relationship with him. He is not someone that is here for the money. He will need a competitive sporting offer because he's a winner."

Laporta is battling with Victor Font and Toni Freixa to become Barca's next president, with the rescheduled elections due take place on March 7.