Lionel Messi set for talks over new Barcelona deal to keep him at the club for the rest of his career
Spanish giants finally ready to sit down for serious negotiations with Argentine hero
BARCELONA are ready to finally offer Lionel Messi a new contract to keep him at the club for the rest of his career.
Messi's current deal at the Nou Camp runs out in 18 months and the delay in putting a new offer on the table had increased speculation the forward could be tempted to move elsewhere.
Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and even Manchester United had all been linked with moves to attempt to sign the Argentina star.
But Barca have finally decided the time is right to begin serious talks with their inspirational striker and have pencilled them in to begin at the start of December.
They want to get next week's clash with bitter rivals Real Madrid out of the way, and then sit down with Messi to thrash out an agreement.
Messi scored both goals in Barca's Champions League win at Celtic during the week and has recently spoken of his desire to remain in Spain.
And he dismissed suggestions the side were only to be feared when he was in it and playing to his best.
He said: "I'm at the best club in the world, it doesn't depend on one player.
"We have a great team and I don't think about that."