Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists Leo Messi will stay and targets new Marc-Andre ter Stegen deal

Here for keeps: Barca president eyes Ter Stegen and Messi stays
AFP/Getty Images
Ben Hayward27 July 2020

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has reiterated his belief that Lionel Messi will extend his contract at the Catalan club and has made Marc-Andre ter Stegen's renewal a priority.

Messi's deal runs out at the end of next season and there have been rumours that the Argentine attacker is unwilling to sign a new agreement.

But Bartomeu told Mundo Deportivo: "Messi has said many times that he wants to retire here and I have no doubt he will renew."

Asked about the club's priority in terms of new contracts, the president said: "For me, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

"Not just for his quality as a goalkeeper, but also for his personality as a player, his manner and the way he relates to people.

"He's a mainstay in the dressing room and for the future. For a goalkeeper, he's very young and he's already in the elite. At 28, he's one of the three best in the world."

However, the German may have to take a wage cut along with other players as Barca adapt to the financial effects of coronavirus.

"He understands what is happening in society and he knows that with the decrease in income at clubs like Barca, he will have to adjust his salary.

"All the players are doing it and we are working on that."

Meanwhile, striker Luis Suarez sees his deal end next year, but Bartomeu said: "Luis has a contract that, according to the number of games he plays, automatically renews for the 2021-22 season.

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