Report: Lionel Messi ready to sign new contract with Barcelona

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is to commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract later this month, according to a report.

The Argentina international is now into the final 12 months of his existing deal, leading to fears that he could depart for a club of his choice as a free agent next summer.

Talks with Messi over extending his terms have been ongoing since the turn of the year, but technical secretary Robert Fernandez recently insisted that the delay in reaching an agreement is nothing to fear.

Goal.com reports that the finishing touches to a new contract will be made once Messi returns from his honeymoon in around a week's time, likely keeping him at Camp Nou until 2021 when he will be aged 33.

Messi, rumoured to be on former boss Pep Guardiola's wishlist at Manchester City, is to become Barca's highest earner on £19m a year after tax.