Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reassured fans about Lionel Messi's future at the club with negotiations between the two parties believed to be edging closer.
Messi is currently out of contract at Barcelona and his apparent availability alerted the likes of Manchester City, who were heavily linked for the Argentine's services last summer.
However, City have been dealt a blow in their pursuit with negotiations reportedly progressing well between Messi and Barcelona.
Laporta addressed the speculation on the club's official website on Thursday evening and revealed he is confident in keeping the Argentine superstar at the club.
"The player has always said that he wants to continue and we are making progress with the negotiations," Laporta told fcbarcelona.es
"Yuste and Alemany are working very well. It is a wish that we all have: we want Messi to continue at Barça. That he continue for many years and that he can play with footballers from Barça."
Laporta added: "We are very satisfied with the attitude of both parties, which is necessary in such an operation. Now Leo is on vacation, but he has a team working to make the best contract for everyone."
Messi's international teammate Sergio Aguero joined Barcelona from Manchester City this summer, but so far the club have been unable to register him due to a wage cap set by the league.
But Laporta has made steps to ameliorate the situation and assured the club have it under control.
"The players that we are incorporating can be registered. We know about the restrictions, which are motivated by the heritage we have. We don't have it easy, but they are working very well with LaLiga.
"We must follow the rules. We are confident in reducing the wage bill or finding a formula that is acceptable to LaLiga.
"We see goodwill on the part of LaLiga and also its president. He is the first interested in having players like Memphis play for Barça, but there are rules and he wants them to be followed. We are trying to achieve the goal of registering players.
"The players are having a very good attitude. We understood their reaction, but when they saw the situation they understood us as well. Their agents are there to listen to the proposals."
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