BARCELONA are ready to tie down Lionel Messi to a new contract until the summer of 2023, according to reports.
The Argentine has 18-months left on his current deal and Barca remain keen to ensure he ends his career at his boyhood club.
Messi, 32, last signed a contract in 2017 worth up to £100million, including add-ons and signing bonus.
Barca chiefs are expected to fly out to Argentina to hold talks with the player and his father Jorge over the Christmas period.
Messi has returned to Rosario during the winter break to recuperate ahead of the second half of the season.
Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently revealed how Messi was eager to end his career at the Nou Camp.
He said: "Leo Messi will still play with us for the next two, three, four or five years. I have no doubts about that.
"Surely it will be the wish of all parties, if he (Lionel Messi) feels strong and ambitious, to extend this contract indefinitely.
"Ultimately it is he who must decide. He has earned the right to decide when he will stop playing football. But like he said a few weeks ago, he wants to finish his playing career at Barcelona."
There were fears that Messi could jump ship with a clause in his contract meaning he could leave the club for nothing in the summer.
Barca icons Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta were all thought to have had similar agreements in their final years at Barca, allowing them to leave for free.
Messi, who won a record sixth Ballon d'Or earlier this month, has maintained his incredible scoring record this season with 12 goals in his last 11 La Liga starts.
He has scored 617 goals in 704 appearances since making his first team debut in November 2003.
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