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Valverde: Barcelona 'positive' about new Messi deal

Valverde: Barcelona 'positive' about new Messi deal

Ernesto Valverde believes that Lionel Messi will stay.
 
Unveiled today as Barcelona’s new Coach, the former striker revealed that there was a “positive” vibe around the club with regards to the Flea’s new deal.
 
Though the two sides have been negotiating for a long time, they have yet to reach an agreement, but Valverde claims that it will arrive soon.
 
“Messi’s new deal? Those around me are very positive on the subject,” he said in today’s introductory press conference.
 
Scorer of 37 goals this season, Messi has been in talks for a while with the Catalan club, who are reported to want to offer him as much as €30 million a season.
 
The Argentine star’s current contract will expire in June 2018, and he has recently been reported to have asked for a cluse to be put in the deal preventing the Catalans from getting rid of Luis Suarez.
 
The Spanish Supreme Court recently confirmed Messi’s 21 month prison sentence, being found guilty of tax fraud, earning a 21 month sentence and a € 2 million fine.